Higher Truth

Numbers 13:25-33

They spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites: “The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge.” (Numbers 13:32)

MOSES HAD SENT TWELVE SCOUTS into the Promised Land—not to figure out whether the land could be taken but to develop some strategies for the best way to do it—and most of them came back completely paralyzed by fear. All they could see was how overwhelming the task was. From their perspective, there were giants and obstacles and all sorts of opposing forces. But two of the scouts had a better perspective, one that lined up with what God had already spoken. The obstacles and opposition were real, they said, but so was God’s promise. After all, this was the Promised Land. But the critics outnumbered the men of faith, and the listening crowd panicked. The nation was consigned to wander for another generation.

Critics have that kind of power, unfortunately. What they say may be true, but they rarely emphasize the higher truth of what God has said. They limit themselves to a human perspective and ignore the possibility of a divine one. And the world is full of such voices.

Sadly, so is the church. “It won’t work” is a convincing statement, and it has shot down numerous God-given visions throughout history. Plans should be cautious and well considered, and appropriate objections should be raised, but when God has guided, when his words are at stake, objections pale in comparison. When God has spoken, the voices of critics need to fade away. With God, no obstacle is insurmountable.

Criticism is easy, but faith and vision actually make things happen. Don’t be one of those people who point out all the problems without ever offering any solutions. God tends to satisfy visionaries, not critics. Even when visions falter, they still get us further than any lack of vision ever will. Choose to see from a God-centered perspective, and then step into the vision you’ve been given. He will lead you faithfully into lands of promise.

{Lord, give me vision that comes from your perspective and fits your purposes, and make me resistant to all who would poke holes in it. Give me the discernment to know the difference between constructive advice and destructive criticism. May my faith endure through all opposition. Amen.