Hearing His Voice #207

Do not rebel against the LORD, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the LORD is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!

Numbers 14:9

Moses sent twelve spies into the Promised Land, not to find out if it was possible to take it, but to provide information that would be helpful once Israel got there. But ten of the spies came back with a discouraging report: The people of the land were big and strong, and taking the land from them would not be possible. Only two spies, Joshua and Caleb, objected to this report, and they were treated with contempt by the naysayers. Their faith was seen as foolish.

Faith often looks foolish, and “realistic” people are quick to offer more practical wisdom. But Joshua and Caleb remembered something that most of Israel had forgotten: The Promised Land was actually the promised land. The God who cannot lie had assured them it was theirs. Moses and others had heard His voice, and the faithful ones among them believed Him. They knew that when He spoke, He told the truth, even if circumstances made the truth seem impossible. We serve a God who does what He says He will do. He follows through on His words.

When God gives you His promises in Scripture and helps you apply them to your specific situations, don’t let them go. Circumstances will tempt you to question whether His promises are actually possible, and your mind will reason that perhaps you misinterpreted what He said or applied His words inappropriately. Entire doctrines have been developed to explain why God didn’t mean what He seemed to have said. But when His words become personal in your specific situation, they can be trusted. Cling to them. Whatever God has spoken to you, don’t let the obstacles around you persuade you otherwise. Never let go of His promises.

Lord, it is so difficult to believe Your promises when circumstances and the “wisdom” of others dictate against them. But Your words are bigger to me than the giants around me are. I choose always to believe what You have said.