…The land we passed through and explored is an extremely good land. If the LORD is pleased with us, He will bring us into this land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and give it to us. Only don’t rebel against the LORD, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land, for we will devour them. Their protection has been removed from them, and the LORD is with us. Don’t be afraid of them!     Numbers 14:7-9 HCSB

Yesterday we talked about how Moses sent out 12 men to scout out the promised land in Canaan. Ten of the men were concerned about the giants and the obstacles they would face in conquering the land. But Joshua and Caleb had focused on the fact that this was an extremely good land. Our Scripture passage above is their plea to the Israelites when they were refusing to enter the land God had promised them.

They assure the Israelites if God is pleased with them, He will bring them safely into this land. They warn the Israelites not to rebel against the Lord. Their refusal to enter the promised land is a rebellion in itself. They assure the Israelites they will devour these giants and that they have nothing to fear.

We are a lot like the Israelites whether we care to admit it or not. We often spend our time wasted and wandering around when we should be focused on God. We needlessly focus on all the negative things in our life, and this only prolongs our time in the desert. God has promised us eternal life with Him in heaven. But we must please Him. We must accept the free gift of salvation offered through Jesus’ crucifixion. We must accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. When we truly surrender to Jesus, we want to live a life that pleases God. When we surrender and submit to Him and strive to please Him, we are assured of eternal life with Him in heaven.

If you were to stop and look at your life, do you think it would be pleasing to God? Like those poor Israelites, I wandered around in the desert for many years and lived a life that was not pleasing to God. I lived trying to please myself and put God on the back burner. And just like the Israelites I grumbled and complained when things didn’t go my way. I also let my fear overcome my faith many times.

But I have learned I have nothing to fear. I have learned that once I surrendered to Him, He took care of all that. I eagerly await the day I cross over into the land He has promised me. I may have to devour a few giants along the way but that’s ok. I know He’s got this. I have read Revelation chapter 21 and I know that it is an extremely good land. I hope to see you there.

Have a great day!