Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “True Greatness”
Our Bible verse for today: “I swear that none of you will enter the land I promised to settle you in, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.” Numbers 14:30 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “God honors faithfulness and obedience.”
Thirteen men were selected by Moses to go scout the Promised Land. Their mission was to get a feel for the lay of the land and to bring back a report to the rest of the people.
There was no question that the land would be good, God had already told them that. There was also no question that it would be theirs, God had already told them that too. And there was no question that they were to go, God had commanded it. Now it was simply a matter of moving forward and claiming what the Lord had granted to them.
That’s not to say there weren’t obstacles, there were. And that also isn’t saying it would be easy, because it wouldn’t be. But taking possession of the Promised Land was the future God had determined for them and therefore they should have simply marched forward in faith and obedience. But they didn’t.
Eleven of the thirteen spies were intimated by what they saw on their scouting mission. The people were big and strong. The cities were fortified. The challenge before them was frightening. And so they came back to the people with woeful forecasts of impending disaster should they attempt to do what the Lord was telling them to do.
Interestingly, Caleb and Joshua saw exactly the same things that the other eleven did, but their response was different. Despite the obvious obstacles and challenges, Caleb and Joshua had faith in God and were determined to simply march forward and do what He had commanded them to do.
You know the rest of the story. The people listened to the eleven frightened and timid men rather than to the two bold and courageous ones; and they ended up spending forty years wandering in the wilderness rather than enjoying the good life the Lord had ordained for them.
As you continue to read the Bible from that point forward, you discover that the names of the eleven are never mentioned again. They fade into history and are forgotten. Joshua however, went on to have a great life as the successor to Moses and he is one of the truly admirable men in Biblical history. Caleb likewise appears numerous times in the Bible he is always portrayed in a positive and complimentary way.
The lesson for us? Don’t be afraid to do what God has told you to do. Don’t doubt Him. Don’t be intimidated by the apparent obstacles and challenges. And don’t disobey God’s clear command to you.
God honors faithfulness and obedience. He honored it in the lives of Joshua and Caleb and he will honor it in your life too. Great men and women of God faithfully trust God and obey Him, regardless of the obstacles or challenges.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 