Good morning! This morning as I’m reading through the book of Numbers, I came across the story where the Lord told the Israelites to send men to explore the land of Canaan. This is the land that God had promised to them through His covenant with Abraham.
“The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.”
Genesis 17:8
The Israelites were told to choose a leader from each tribe that would go in as spies and scout out the land. When they returned after 40 days of exploring the land they returned with their report.
They reported that the land was great – BUT – the people who live there are powerful and the cities are fortified and very large!
Do you ever feel this way? You want to do something – BUT – fear of something else is stopping you from experiencing something greater!
When God called me into ministry, I was 18 years old and had just graduated from high school. That summer, I went on a missions trip with other teenagers from all across the great state of NJ.
One night in Peru, I was up on the rooftop of the place we were staying and I remember praying and asking God for direction. I believe in that moment God called me into ministry and was leading me to go to a Christian college to study to become a missionary. Previously, I had been signed up and ready to go a local county college to get my first two years of general studies before deciding what I wanted to land on for a major.
While attending the Christian college, God increased my passion for the local church and I changed my major to Pastoral Ministry. Upon graduating, I was working at a secular job and interviewed for a couple positions within the church and didn’t get either one. Fear and discouragement stopped me from pursuing further.
I was asked to serve as the Youth Leader of my local church and between that, my regular job, and life, I became comfortable with where I was at. It took me until I was 38 years old to officially apply for my credentials to become a Licensed Minister. There is so much that happened in between the time I was called until the time I received the credential, but I never stopped serving God, I never stopped believing in the local church, and God NEVER gave up on me!
As the Israelite spies were giving their report, Caleb (one of them) stopped them and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” (Numbers 13:30) The other spies responded in rebellion fearing the strength of the people occupying the land.
The Israelites began to fear the people of Canaan so much that they wanted to choose a leader to go back to the land of Egypt – the land where they were held captive as slaves for 430 years. Could you imagine, being so afraid of something that you would willingly go back to slavery and forced hard labor?!
“Fear can cause you to want to do things that don’t make sense.”
Me
Joshua and Caleb, the two spies that came back with a good report again addressed the Israelites. This is where today’s transformation can be seen.
“And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.
Numbers 14:9
When we trust in God and in His power, it helps to eliminate fear in our lives that cripple us from doing great things! What is causing you fear today? Surrender it to Jesus!
There have been times when I look back and wonder what would my life look like today if I had continued to pursue a full-time job in ministry, but I am reminded over and over again how God has not allowed any part of my life to be wasted! The same is true for you today – God will use every aspect of your life for His glory – good and bad – if you allow Him to!
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your power and strength! Help us to rely on You in every situation. As we trust You more and more, eliminate the fear in our lives that attempts to paralyze us from following You! Thank You again that You never let any aspect of our lives go to waste! Encourage us today to keep our eyes on You and not on the things that cause us fear! In Jesus Name, Amen!
Be Transformed 