The Language
of Faith
We are well able to overcome.
Listening to the news I noticed a common thread of anger
and fear. If we are not steeped in faith, fear is used to rob us of our hope. Now I ask you, what is your reaction to fear? As I realized this is a worldwide problem,
many wonder what they can do to fight the tenacles of this web. Searching for
my answer I began in the Book of Numbers.
After going through many miracles by God and finally
being released from the slavery of Egypt and God giving them everything they
needed in the wilderness, the Israelites were close enough to going into the
land of Canaan that God had promised. The Lord spoke to Moses to select one man out
of each of the 12 tribes to go and spy upon the land. Was it wooded, was the
soil good, bad, rich, or barren? What
kind of people were dwelling there? Were they strong? Weak? Many? Large? Were the cities walled or open? So many questions to seek the answers for the
Israelites and this took 40 days. When the 12 spies arrived in Canaan, they noticed
the land was rich and the fruit was large and plentiful and as Moses requested,
they cut down a branch of grapes, figs, and pomegranates to bring back to the
camp and give their report. Yes, just as the Lord had promised the land was
filled with milk and honey and the fruit they brought back was evidence. One
cluster of grapes were carried on two poles by two men and there had been
reports in Palestine of one bunch of grapes weighed as much as 25-45 lbs. and
further remarks about one single grape being the size of a plum.
Then the word “Nevertheless” was brought into their
glowing report.
“Nevertheless, the people be strong that dwell in the
land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover, we saw the
children of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the
Hittites, and the Jebusites and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the
Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan. And Caleb stilled the
people before Moses, and said, let us go up at once and possess it; for we
are well able to overcome it. But the men who went up with him said, we be
not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. And they brought
up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children
of Israel, saying, the land through which we have gone to search it, is a land
that eateth up the in habitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it
are men of a great stature. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak,
which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so
we were in their sight.” Numbers 13:28-33 KJV.
Ten of the men reported in doubt and unbelief. What about God’s promise to them when they
reported according to what they saw and allowed a spirit of fear to take the
place of faith? What about trusting in God? 2Co.5:7 says, “For we walk by faith, not by
sight.”
Their language was: We saw, we are not able, we are not as strong
as they are and God called this an evil report. Nu.14:36,37 They chose to act upon unbelief instead of
faith and the things they spoke came upon them. [Nu. 14:26] They brought about
God’s judgement by their own lack of faith, murmuring and complaining and evil
expectations in their hearts. They expressed fear of man over God’s promises.
In doing this, they tempted God.
“But without faith it is impossible to please him
[God]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a
rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” He.11:6 KJV
“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth
his trust in the Lord shall be safe.” Pr.29:25
Fear can easily override your faith if you are believing
an evil report.
Can we not think: “Ok, this is what man says, but what
does God say about this situation?”
On the other hand, Joshua and Caleb spoke the language of
faith because they walked by faith, saw by faith and acted by faith. They
believed God. It didn’t matter how big
the people were [giants] Caleb believed God over what he saw. Caleb said, “we
are well able to overcome it.” The giants are bread for us [meaning we will
swallow them up], they are defenseless, the Lord is with us, not them.” Nu.14:9.
Lack of faith is a
lack of trust in God.
Active faith produces a boldness from God. Both Joshua
and Caleb were trying to calm the people down. The Israelites lack of faith produced
the language of unbelief and rebellion in their hearts. Their anger grew as
they began to stone Caleb and Joshua for speaking the truth. In fact, they wanted to replace Moses with a
new Captain and return to the bondage in Egypt.
Again, Caleb said, “We are well able to overcome it.”
He believed God and spoke from the faith that was in his heart. This was the
conclusion of his faith. Nothing wavering, Caleb gave hope and
encouragement.
Today, he might sound like, “No problem! We can do
this!!”
The Israelites said, “We be not able to go against the
people that we saw for they are stronger than we are.” They too said what
was in their hearts. They gave an evil report and tempted God. [all
total, they had tempted God 10 times] This was the conclusion of
unbelief.
Faith in God verses sight and unbelief and they both
spoke it out. We say what we believe and what we say goes out into the airwaves
are recorded and we can never take our words back.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and
they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Pr.18:21
God talked about how the Israelites tempted Him and
because Moses interceded for them again and God forgave them, [Nu.14:20] they
had to walk through the judgements He gave which was everything they had
murmured and complained. They were also not allowed to go into the new
land.
The Israelites were destined to “eat the fruit” of their words,
which was death.
Complaining against God’s anointed was and still is complaining
against God Himself.
To be continued.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Open up my eyes and heart so that
I will see Your truth the way Your Holy Spirit gives to me. Give me what I need
to be that new creature in Christ, I ask for grace. In Jesus I ask. Amen.
