Life vs death

 

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.