Caleb and Joshua amazed and inspired me so greatly. These young men possessed great qualities that every person should have if they must always scale through life and its hurdles triumphantly.
What they did spurred me in no small way.
So, what exactly did they do?
Here's the story!
Joshua and Caleb amongst other 10 spies were sent to the land of Canaan to spy and bring back report to Moses and Aaron. Sadly, the other 10 spies brought a bad report back to Moses and the entire Israelites.
But that wasn't the main problem.
The major problem was, the same bad report they brought made the entire Israel totally loose their trust in the Lord. Those 10 spies were so blunt about what their PHYSICAL SIGHT told them in a way that down played on WHO WAS WITH THEM (GOD ALMIGHTY).
One bad report can deter every ounce of hope or faith you have in Christ or over a challenge. That's why you must be careful of what you hear. Faith cometh by hearing, so does fear.
Back to the story. See this:
"Now they departed and came back to Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the children of Israel in the Wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh; they brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land.
But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.”
And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature.
There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” Numbers 13:26, 31-33 NKJV
What a report!
But i remember vividly what Moses told the entire 12 spies before sending them on the mission. He encouraged them to "...be of good courage..." because he knew how formidable the mission was. (Numbers 13:20).
Apparently, Only 2 kept to it. Others were moved by what they saw. “...We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.” Doubt and fear sets in which played and watered down their faith in God.
They saw the odds. They already visualized how the giants would slaughter them like grasshoppers. They actually saw themselves as grasshoppers. That scripture didn't say they were grasshoppers but how they saw themselves. "..and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight..."
But thank God for Joshua and Caleb who had a different report. These two courageous men understood the backing they had and who they are. They understood the God who was with them and stood by that knowing.
Caleb had to silent the negative reports coming from everywhere amongst the Israelites. "And Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, "let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it." (Numbers 13:30).
That was from a place of great courage and faith.
Now, what is that situation or challenge present before you that keeps stirring fear in you?
Maybe you lost your job, sinking in debts, experiencing financial crisis with your business, having difficulties in your academics or maybe family issues?
Whatever it is that is before you, you should never think or speak negative about it, just like Caleb and Joshua.
Just Imagine, out of 12 spies sent for a great task only 2 came with a different report. Only 2 saw the problem from a different perspective; the God perspective.
The audacity and boldness with which they spoke was outstanding. Infact, because the people of Israel believed the negative report more than the positive, they attempted to stone Joshua and Caleb if not for God's intervention. God Himself showed up for them.
Beloved brother/sister, believe that which the Lord is saying or has said through His Word or directly to you. He'll surely back you up. People or surrounding circumstances may try to convince you to believe you can't be able to get over that problem/challenge, but don't buy it. The devil might try to speak lies to you to bring fear and doubt about God and yourself. Don't believe him.
I haven't been writing for a while as a result of some challenges that occurred recently but the Holy Spirit taught me a whole lot of which the courage of Caleb and Joshua was part and it fired me up.
I'd advice you study them closely so you can squeeze out more lessons from this scripture. (Numbers chapters 13 and 14).
I won't forget to highlight that the unbelief of the Israelites caused God to ban the people of Israel from entering the land promised to them. They couldn't conquer the land in their minds so God did not deem them fit to conquer the land physically. Not just that, the 10 spies with bad report were also killed by God. Only Joshua and Caleb were permitted to enter the promise land.
"But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it."
Numbers 14:24 NKJV
Your recognition of the power of God over a situation can usher you into your breakthrough. This is why you must hang in there. This is why you must hold on to God and His Word so strongly. That's how you overcome.
Don't allow fear and doubt rent a space in your life; not even for a minute. It was fear and doubt that deprived almost an entire generation from accessing their blessings.
Your land flowing with milk and honey (your expectations) is on the other side. Stop seeing and saying the negative. That's what the enemy wants you to see and confess. Be patient and courageous to press on despite the odds.
Keep a shut ear to negative people that's trying to suffocate the faith and hope left in you.
The goodnews is, Christ is always willing to give solution to that problem and help you through it. The blessings you seek and the breakthrough is on the other side. Envision it and work towards it with the backing of the Holy Ghost.
Know that you are not alone!
"...and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Matthew 28:20b NKJV
God bless you!
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