Every one of us has something that we are to do for God. Whether it is utilizing our natural abilities for preaching or some other official ministry of the church or simply our responsibility to preach the Gospel to every person, we are all "called," if you will, to do something for Him.
But, whenever we are faced with one of these challenges I believe there are a few things that God wants us to do and all of those things can be seen, either in a positive or a negative light, through the account of the 12 Spies.
But, whenever we are faced with one of these challenges I believe there are a few things that God wants us to do and all of those things can be seen, either in a positive or a negative light, through the account of the 12 Spies.
Assess the Challenge - Numbers 13:1-25
The story starts out with God telling the people they are to go into the Land of Canaan to assess it and bring back report to Moses. Moses then gives them the parameters of their intelligence operation, telling them he wants them to take account of the cities' strength, the people's military power and even the status of the land's agriculture.
The spies spend 40 days doing exactly that and then they return with their report. And I must say, I believe they are dead on up until this point! Whenever we are faced with a task that God has given us, we need to truly understand what we are doing so we can go forward in the correct manner! (cf. Luke 9:62, Luke 14:28, Luke 14:31)
The spies spend 40 days doing exactly that and then they return with their report. And I must say, I believe they are dead on up until this point! Whenever we are faced with a task that God has given us, we need to truly understand what we are doing so we can go forward in the correct manner! (cf. Luke 9:62, Luke 14:28, Luke 14:31)
Decide on Faithfulness - Numbers 13:26-33
However, that seems to be the end of the faithful addressing of the challenge set before them. With the report of the 10 spies, the children of Israel were turned against God and did something contrary to what we ought to do. Namely, they did not decide on faithfulness.
When faced with a challenge, especially on a congregational level, we as God's people ought to make the decision that no matter how difficult, no matter what we have learned about the size of the undertaking, we are going to stay faithful to God...No...Matter...What!
When faced with a challenge, especially on a congregational level, we as God's people ought to make the decision that no matter how difficult, no matter what we have learned about the size of the undertaking, we are going to stay faithful to God...No...Matter...What!
Address Shortcomings Appropriately - Numbers 14:39-45
Fast forward to the end of the incident and the nation of Israel has been given their sentence. They will not be allowed to enter into Canaan with the generation that sent the spies. Thankfully, and in somewhat of a sarcastic manner, God has promised that their children will be able to enter, but the adults will not. And instead of addressing those shortcomings appropriately (namely, learning from their mistakes and applying that knowledge to the future) the Israelites decide that they will NOW try to do something about it. But God has already removed His hand from them and they are turned around and ran away by the very people that God had told them He would give to them.
Why? Because they did not do their duty when it was the correct time!
Now, what does all of this have to do with us? As I stated before, we are all charged with doing something for Christ and His Kingdom. That may very well be using our natural talents to preach or lead in some official sense but no matter what, we are all charged with spreading the borders of that Kingdom (Mark 16:15-16)!
Have you looked and counted the costs for that? It will take more effort than many of us realize!
Have you decided to stand up for God and not waver in your faithfulness?
Have you learned from your past mistakes and failures in carrying out that mission so next time you are faced with the ability to teach the Gospel you will be better equipped?
Remember, if we fail to stand up to the challenges that God gives us, He has every right to disinherit us like He did those Israelites so long ago (Numbers 14:11-12)!
Why? Because they did not do their duty when it was the correct time!
Now, what does all of this have to do with us? As I stated before, we are all charged with doing something for Christ and His Kingdom. That may very well be using our natural talents to preach or lead in some official sense but no matter what, we are all charged with spreading the borders of that Kingdom (Mark 16:15-16)!
Have you looked and counted the costs for that? It will take more effort than many of us realize!
Have you decided to stand up for God and not waver in your faithfulness?
Have you learned from your past mistakes and failures in carrying out that mission so next time you are faced with the ability to teach the Gospel you will be better equipped?
Remember, if we fail to stand up to the challenges that God gives us, He has every right to disinherit us like He did those Israelites so long ago (Numbers 14:11-12)!
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