A Kingdom Of Promise

Read: Numbers 13:1-25

The LORD now said to Moses, “Send out men to explore the land of Canaan, the land I am giving to the Israelites.” Numbers 13:12

IN WORD

God made a promise long ago to Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph that He would bring His people out of Egypt and back into the land of their inheritance. He kept His promise by sending Moses back into Egypt on a mission of deliverance. Now, after bringing them through the waters and teaching them His will, the time had come for fulfillment. The people were now ready to enter the Promised Land.

Or were they? God instructs Moses to send twelve men into the land on a reconnaissance mission. Their assignment was not to determine whether the promise was valid; it was to strategize the conquest and settlement. After all, quite a few Canaanites already lived there. It might be good to have a plan when taking the land back from them.

Somehow the spies misinterpreted their mission. They let their fears and their very human logic get the best of them. They forgot that the Promised Land was actually promised land. Even so, God would get His people there eventually. He does not neglect His own words, even when His people forget them or rebel against them. Yes, the generation of rebels missed the fulfillment, but the fulfillment still came. That’s because God’s Kingdom is based on the reliability of His own plans.

IN DEED

That’s good to know. We can miss many of the blessings of the Kingdom ourselves, but we can’t mess up the Kingdom agenda. God is building it, fulfilling it, and blessing it, regardless of how we respond. When we pray for His Kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, the outcome is certain. We don’t have to wonder if it’s going to happen. God’s promises never fail.

Mine God’s Word for His promises. Don’t let fear rob you of their fulfillment; let faith fill you with expectancy. The Kingdom is given to those bold enough to believe it, those who take God at His word and don’t let go. Cling to the vision He has placed within you; it was put there for a reason.

ADDITIONAL READING: Romans 4:18-21

On these [promises] we are to build all our expectations from God; and in all temptations and trials, we have them to rest our souls upon.

MATTHEW HENRY