“Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defense is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not” (Num. 14:9 KJV).
After supernatural deliverance from slavery in Egypt, the children of Israel have reached the land of Canaan. It is now time to possess the land. God tells Moses to send in spies to investigate it. Twelve spies are selected to go into the land. And yes, they see the land is like God said. It’s a land flowing with milk and honey. But when they returned, they said, “Yes, it’s like God said.” And ten of them said, “But there are giants in the land.”
Now when you start hearing that word “but” usually a truckload of unbelief follows. I hear it from Christians all the time. “Yes, Pastor, I know God’s word says such and such, but….” That’s the problem. They need to get rid of the “but.”
Ten of the twelve spies brought back a bad report. They acted as though God didn’t know there were giants in the land. What should they care about giants? God drowned a million and a half man army in the Red Sea. What did they think a bunch of giants were going to do? They saw themselves defeated. They were grasshoppers even in their own sight. And the people got so upset that they started to stone Moses.
Joshua and Caleb however had a different report. They said, “Don’t listen to these guys. Don’t worry about the giants. Their defense is taken from them. They are bread for us.” In other words, God is for us, what can they do with us?
Now maybe you say, “Yes. Praise God for that.” But that’s not what the people said. They picked up stones to kill them too. They lost all their rest, because they immediately looked at what they saw and forgot about what God had just done for them.
The same thing is true with us today. We sometimes forget what God has done in our lives in the last 20, 30, 40 years. Didn’t he bring you out before? He’s the same God. He said, “I change not.” So take Joshua and Caleb’s attitude and realize that any problem that arises is bread for you. You are well able to overcome it.
Scripture References: Exodus 15:1-13; Numbers 13:30-14:9
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Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).