Focus on the Promise and the Promise Giver

Numbers 13: 27,’28 ‘They told Moses, we came to the land to which you sent us; surely it flows with milk and honey. This is its fruit. But the people who dwell there are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; moreover, there we saw the sons of Anak [of great stature and courage]. God had promised Abraham to give His descendants the land of Canaan as their inheritance. Over 400 years later, the descendants had been redeemed from Egypt by their God and were now at the brink of entering their promised land. In conformity to the disbelieving nature of man, they sent out spies to inspect and confirm if indeed the promise was true. They selected 10 men, one from each tribe of Israel, to go to spy on the land out of which two report were given. In the first report, all the ten confirmed that indeed the land was flowing with milk and honey as promised by the LORD. They even had evidence of fruit and produce from the land. The second report was given by 8 of the 10 spies who said that the land was unconquerable and even uninhabitable. They focussed on the obstacles and challenges. They spread fear and discouragement among the entire camp. The Israelites then choose to rebel against God’s command to enter and claim the promised land as theirs and return to a life of bondage and slavery in Egypt. You would have imagined that having seen God perform all those miracles in Egypt, they would not doubt the ability of God to deliver, the fortified cities and giants into their hands. But are we any different really. God has already shown us the promise of salvation, eternal life and victory in Christ Jesus but when we find a storm in our path, when trials, tribulations and persecutions assail us, we give up, we go back to the bondage and slavery of sinfulness and sin. We do not depend on the LORD who was faithful to free us from sin to sustain us in righteousness. 2 spies however, Joshua and caleb, chose to focus on the promise and the God who made that promise. They knew that the God who made the promise is faithful and will keep His promise; He is able to accomplish what He said He would do; and He was willing to do it for them. Because of their obedience and faithfulness, God honoured them by ensuring that they RECEIVED and ENJOYED their inheritance. Trust in the LORD your God and He will supply the desires of your heart. Only do not doubt and rebel against His commands.