The Twelve Spies - Numbers 13

Samuel Adams arrived at Listooder to bring a short report of the ongoing work of Every Home Crusade before opening the Word of God at Numbers chapter 13. In the last year, the organisation produced 78 million pieces of gospel literature equating to 1385 tonnes of paper. Samuel showed a presentation of his recent visit to Mek'ele, north Ethiopia, where he met with a man who had translated the New Testament into the local language. With the help of Every Home Crusade, the Gospel of John was printed and was now ready to be distributed to the people. It was in the Ethipiopian Othrodox church where they found the biggest response to the Scriptures. These were people who believed in a God, but where faith seemed to be based solely on works. Placing the Word of God into their hands is a great blessing for now they can read for themselves the truth of God, and see Christ as the only one who can truly redeem them from their sin, showing them that their works are as nothing, without the covering of the blood of Christ. Samuel then turned to the book of Numbers to consider the children of Israel on the verge of entering the promised land. The people had been brought out of their slavery in Egypt. They had seen the miracle of God in the crossing of the Red Sea and they had received the provision of God in the wilderness. Yet it seems they had forgotten the greatness of their God. Moses had sent twelve spies into the land to bring a report back to the people. On their return, ten of these spies brought a depressing message. The land would be impossible to conquer. There was simply no way that they could overcome its inhabitants and claim the land which the Lord had given them. But of course the problem was that these ten spies, and subsequently the children of Israel were looking at the situation through the eyes of man. All they could see were problems, barriers in the way of achieving success for God. That is like so many of us today. Instead of attempting great things in the name of Lord, reaching out to needy souls and spreading the Gospel of Christ, we think of reason after reason why we are unable to take that step. We use fear, embarrasment and pride as excuses in the work of the Lord. Two men, however, saw the situation of Canaan very differently. Caleb and Joshua, later to be involved in the leading of the children of Israel into the land, brought a positive report back to the people. They saw what the ten saw, but they were not discouraged. Instead of looking at the world through the eyes of man, they looked through the eyes of God. The God who had delievered them from Egypt, the God who had brought them safely across the Red Sea, the God who met their every need in the wilderness, could easily bring the people into the land which He had promised to give them. Today, many Christians are passionate and enthusiastic, but their passion and enthusiasm is so often directed at the wrong things. So often we show more passion for sport, politics and entertainment than we do for what really matters: the Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour. When it comes to the Word of God, and the Gospel we show weakness, immaturity and fear. The people had forgotten who their God was. They had forgot His greatness, His power and His glory. We so often forget that every breath, every blessing and every benefit is from the mercy of God. God's will for our lives is perfect. It is the best path for us as individuals. But to follow it we must believe with our full being in His power and believe in His will. There are many times we do not understand what the Lord is doing, there are times when the obstacles are large, when the prospect looks bleak. But it is in those times especially that we must remember who our God is, and what He is capable of. He has saved us from the pit of hell, redeemed us by His blood and made us the sons of God. Caleb and Joshua wholly followed God. Is that something we are prepared to do? Our God is limitless, He is eternal, He is never ending. So often we restrict Him in our minds, we place Him in a box, expecting Him to work within our limits. But He is God. He will lead us if we let Him, but we must follow Him fully. Wholly follow the Lord.