Bible Chapter: Numbers 13 & 14

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    God had given Israel a promise of a new and prosperous land where they would live.  It was time to send in a group to explore and bring a report.  They found the most amazing place.  An example is that it took two men carried a cluster of grapes on a pole between them.  This was a fruitful and beautiful place.  Sadly, the enormity of the task of taking over the land brought fear to ten of the spies.  Instead of saying that God would be with them, they only saw the little they could do in their own strength.  Again, they talked about going back to Egypt.  Joshua and Caleb tried to talk them into trusting God.  But the people panicked in fear.
    Their continual unbelief in God and longing to return to the past finally caused God to tell them that they would not be going to the promised land.  All over twenty years old would die in the desert.  They would have forty years of wandering in the wilderness.  Only the younger ones would enjoy the land the elders rejected.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    Their continual unbelief caused them to lose the presence and provision of God.  Finally God told them He would not go with them.  Some of them “repented” and then said they would go and take the land.  They failed because it was impossible to do without God’s help.  This lesson is vital.  The spiritual battle before us is too large for us to take on ourselves. But, it is well within the power of God to win.  We must not be afraid to step out with God and expect to see God bring the victory.  I fully understand how easy it is to become afraid and not try something big for God.  I also know that when I trust God for what He wants, nothing is impossible with Him.  I like a statement from Corrie ten Boom, “There is no pit so deep but that God is deeper still”.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I think I can sum up my thoughts on this passage with scripture passage.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.