Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, "Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it." 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, "We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we." 32 And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, "The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in itare men of great stature. 33 There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight." Num 13:30-33 (NKJV)
God had promised a land that flowed with milk and honey to the children of Israel. Through many great miracles God delivered them from the land of Egypt and Moses led the upstart nation to the cusp of realizing the promise. Moses send twelve spies into the Promised Land and the host of Israel waited for their reports. Ten out of the twelve spies brought back a report which confirmed that the land was just as God promised, truly a wondrous land; However, they concluded that the God of Israel was not powerful enough to enable them to overcome the inhabitants that lived there.
God had promised a land that flowed with milk and honey to the children of Israel. Through many great miracles God delivered them from the land of Egypt and Moses led the upstart nation to the cusp of realizing the promise. Moses send twelve spies into the Promised Land and the host of Israel waited for their reports. Ten out of the twelve spies brought back a report which confirmed that the land was just as God promised, truly a wondrous land; However, they concluded that the God of Israel was not powerful enough to enable them to overcome the inhabitants that lived there.
The Church faces a very similar situation. We have the promise that "The Gates of Hell" will not prevail against us--and yet, we look at the giant challenges that are facing us and are too often overcome with timidity. So--how big is your God? Is He up to the challenge, or is He afraid to take on Hollywood? Is He all-powerful, or is He hiding away from the influence of the pop culture? What do you believe concerning God? What does the Church believe concerning their God? Is He with us--will He enable us to be an influence--to be salt and light--can we make a difference?
Let me confirm what I believe. I believe that our great and almighty God is more than able to take on challenges that face us. I would like to believe that had I been one of the twelve spies sent into the Promised Land that I would have come back with a report like Caleb's."Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it." The Church may be facing some cultural giants--but, in the name of Jesus, we will overcome them and prevail. Let us lay aside all timidity and fear, and with a loud voice proclaim the Gospel with the knowledge that in our future we will see the time when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Lord! Even the giants will bow!
Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, mighty God, giver of visions, keeper of promises and maker of mighty warriors; raise up an army--a mighty army of people who simply believe in You. I know that You are able and will bring about all that You have promised! You will bring all things into subjection by Your power and accomplish Your will on this earth. While there is yet time, cause Your people to believe, to step out in faith and take on the cultural giants with courage and with wisdom. Amen"
Let me confirm what I believe. I believe that our great and almighty God is more than able to take on challenges that face us. I would like to believe that had I been one of the twelve spies sent into the Promised Land that I would have come back with a report like Caleb's."Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it." The Church may be facing some cultural giants--but, in the name of Jesus, we will overcome them and prevail. Let us lay aside all timidity and fear, and with a loud voice proclaim the Gospel with the knowledge that in our future we will see the time when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Lord! Even the giants will bow!
Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, mighty God, giver of visions, keeper of promises and maker of mighty warriors; raise up an army--a mighty army of people who simply believe in You. I know that You are able and will bring about all that You have promised! You will bring all things into subjection by Your power and accomplish Your will on this earth. While there is yet time, cause Your people to believe, to step out in faith and take on the cultural giants with courage and with wisdom. Amen"
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