“They told Moses, We came to the land to which you sent us; surely it
flows with milk and honey. This is its
fruit. But the people who dwell there
are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; moreover, there we saw
the sons of Anak…Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up
at once and possess it; we are well able to conquer it. But his fellow scouts said, We are not able
to go up against the people of Canaan, for they are stronger than we are…The
land through which we went to spy it out is a land that devours its
inhabitants. And all the people that we
saw in it are men of great stature.
There we saw the Nephilim (or giants), the sons of Anak, who come from
giants; and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers…” –Numbers
13:27-33 AMP
I know most of us have read this chapter and
wondered at how the Israelites could have doubted and been afraid. There is a catch-phrase that applies to the
fear in this circumstance, “Circumstances dictate.” The report the spies brought back was called “bad”. Why?
Was the report factual? Yes. Was it embellished? No.
The report was truthful in the people’s eyes but that is because they
forgot who they were and Who God is.
They started looking at the circumstances and not at God. Whatever you focus on will order your
responses and actions. “Circumstances
dictate.” Can you imagine what would
have happened if they choose to focus on God on that day and all the miracles He
wrought on their behalf? Envision what
would have occurred if they reminded and repeated God’s promises to themselves
instead of succumbing to doubt and fear.
They would have indeed done like Caleb encouraged them to do, conquer
the land and all its peoples. They would
have avoided another 20 years wandering in the wilderness.
Are you facing difficult or impossible-looking
circumstances today? It is so easy to
see yourself as a grasshopper when you face giants, yet there is hope! Do not let “circumstances dictate” your
responses and actions. Get your focus
off the circumstances and on the One Who is greater than any circumstance! Remind yourself of everything He has promised
you. Reflect upon every event where He delivered
you. Remember every occasion where He brought
you through a tough time. Get into His
Word and read every promise He made.
Start looking at yourself as God sees you; You are “I
AM’s” child! You are the child of the
King of Kings. You are the child of the
greatest Being there is, ever was, and ever will be. Who can touch you when you really KNOW who
you are. You are His! No matter the circumstances, they will come
to naught when they do not align up with His will and plans for your life. Remember Jeremiah 29:11 and KNOW that it is His
plan that shall stand for your life. You
are no grasshopper!
