It’s amazing to think of how little faith I can have at times.
Concerning money for instance.
God has always provided for me and my family, and yet I constantly seem to worry about it.
Back when it was easy to save money, I never worried. Now that it’s a bit of a struggle, I worry quite a bit more.
The question is why? God has promised to provide. He always has. Why don’t I trust him more?
That’s what the Israelites were facing: issues of trust.
After about a year in the desert, they were about to enter the land God promised to give them.
God told them to send out scouts and check out the land. The scouts came back and said it looked great…except for one thing:
The people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large…
We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are…
The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size…
We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.” (Numbers 13:28-33)
And with that, the scouts discouraged the people from entering the land.
The question is why?
Sure, they faced a tough task. But how was that tougher than parting the Red Sea and destroying Pharaoh’s army?
On top of that, God had consistently performed miracles before their eyes. And every day, he showed his presence before them with the pillar of cloud and fire.
Despite all that, they not only failed to trust him; they outright rebelled against him.
What can we learn from this? Several things:
First, if we are to learn to trust God, we need to start focusing on Him instead of ourselves and our situation.
That’s exactly what the scouts didn’t do. They didn’t mention a word about God and what he could do. All they mentioned was what the Canaanites and their cities were like and how the Israelites compared in stature to them.
But, Joshua and Caleb were different. Instead of focusing on these things, they focused on God and said,
The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good.
If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us.
Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up.
Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them. (Numbers 14:7-9)
Second, don’t listen to those who refuse to trust in God.
Instead of listening to Joshua and Caleb, who trusted in God, the Israelites heeded the words of those that didn’t trust God.
And so not only did those scouts die, but all those who saw the miracles of God died without seeing the promised land either.
When you follow the words of those who don’t trust God, you often end up just like them, in sorrow and despair.
Finally, remember what God has done for you.
When we remember, it helps strengthen our faith.
When we forget, we lose our faith. Ten times the Israelites tested God.
Each time, God showed himself true. But the Israelites never remembered that.
The words of God ring clearly with me as I read this,
“How long will these people treat me with contempt?
How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed among them?” (Numbers 14:11)
Lord, let me never be like the Israelites who failed to trust in you and as a result never received the promise that you gave to them.
Lord, you have always been faithful to me. And yet so often, I falter in my faith, just like the Israelites.
Help me not to focus on my circumstances or my own weaknesses.
Rather, let me focus on you, on your goodness, and all that you’ve done in the past, knowing that what you’ve done before, you will continue to do in the future.
Help me to trust in you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 