https://odb.org/2024/10/03/saying-yes
In Numbers 13 and 14, we will find the account of the 12 spies who were sent to Canaan, the Promised Land, to investigate and give an account of what they saw and their assessment of the land. The spies were no ordinary people as each represented a tribe of the Israelites who had just been delivered by Moses and Aaron out of Egypt through the parting of the Red Sea into the wilderness south of Canaan.
10 out of the 12 spies came back with a discouraging report in the sense that although they saw that the land was flowing with milk and honey (meaning fertile and prosperous), it had strong armies, fortified cities and even giants (descendents of the sons of Anak). These were undoubtedly the facts. But it was their assessment and conclusion that was damning as they took the view that the Israelites would not be able to conquer the land. They concluded that they would instead embark on a suicide mission to be brought out of Egypt to die by the sword in Canaan. Only Caleb and Joshua took a contrary view, believing and contending that if God had taken so much trouble to deliver them out of Egypt, why would He not follow through and see them to victory notwithstanding the fortified cities, strong armies and giants? The rest was history as God’s judgment was strong and exacting. All who were 20 years and above when they left Egypt will not set foot on the Promised Land except for Joshua and Caleb (Numbers 32:11-12).
The message this morning is that if the LORD leads us on a mission, whether it is a calling to go full-time or to be a missionary in a far land or to participate in a particular ministry or even to take up a job offer that will uproot us or anything else, He will see us through like He did with Joshua and Caleb. He will be with us even as we respond in faith to His calling. We will face obstacles like fortified cities, strong armies, and giants, but like Joshua and Caleb, we will prevail with God’s help. The rewards will be sweet as the land will be flowing with milk and honey. In our context, it means that we will be living in the centre of His will and enjoy of His goodness and grace and mercy. As David proclaimed in Psalm 23, surely goodness and mercy will follow me the rest of my days as I dwell in the House of the LORD forever and ever.
In our life as a redeemed of the Lord, we always need to look beyond the natural into the spiritual realm as we do not live by sight but by faith in the LORD our God, our Lord and Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ. Like Elisha’s servant Gehazi in 2 Kings 6:17-20, if we see with our spiritual eyes, we will see the multitudes of angels on our side!
Ronnie's Thoughts 