Numbers 13:17-20 – “When Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, he said to them, “Go up there into the Negev; then go up into the hill country. 18 “See what the land is like, and whether the people who live in it are strong or weak, whether they are few or many. 19 “How is the land in which they live, is it good or bad? And how are the cities in which they live, are they like open camps or with fortifications? 20 ” How is the land, is it fat or lean? Are there trees in it or not? Make an effort then to get some of the fruit of the land.” Now the time was the time of the first-ripe grapes.”  NASB

In Numbers 13 we find that Israel has made their exodus from Egypt and under the leadership of Moses reached the edge of the Promised Land.  This is the Place of Promise that God had led, and they were instructed that they would have to invade and fight but the victory was guaranteed.  God instructed Moses to send spies in order Plan and Intelligent Strategy for Possessing the Land so in the verses above we read of those spies being sent forth. 

If you notice you will discover that Moses Did Not instruct them to come back and advise on the feasibility of invading but to do recon on the land and report what they saw.  They were gone 40 days and returned in Vv. 21-27.  Their report was an impressive and glowing report as well as the bounty they returned with.  The Land was all God had said it was.

However, 10 of the spies reported that although the land was wonderful the inhabitants were Too Powerfulfor Israel.  They said, “We are like grasshoppers in their eyes.”  What a Wonderful Report of Faith, Right?  You must remember that was not part of their assignment.  They were not told to report back on the feasibility of invading the land.  God had already addressed the feasibility in His Promise was Victory and they went beyond their assignment. 

Sadly, their report produced fear in the hearts of the people and drove a wedge, and negativism and defeatism flooded in.  We Cannot, was their cry and that is Never God’s command.  They said, “The obstacle is greater than we are.”  OF COURSE, IT IS!  God didn’t say you were to go in your strength but His.  If God is who the Bible declares Him to be, and He is, then He Can Do All Things!

Thankfully, two of the twelve were men of faith.  They spoke up and agreed with the ten about the bounty of the land and even about the massive obstacles in their way but stepped out in faith and rehearsed the Promise of God.  “God said the land is ours Therefore we are more than capable of taking the land.”  It was a matter of What God Said Not What They Saw! 

That’s the secret, GOD SAID!  They received the visual cells of the eagle from what God said.  They saw what the ten missed because they were looking through the eyes of faith.  With Vision, there is no room for Fear.  With Vision, there is no room for Intimidation.  With Vision, there is Confidence that goes far beyond the natural ability.  Look at their story.  In Numbers 14:10 the people wanted to stone them with stones.  Fear was Rampant!

The world will always encourage you to give up or give in. The giants are too large, too many, or too powerful.  But God Promised the Land which do you believe, what you see in the natural or what God said in the spiritual.  What is your Canaan or your Place of Promise which is on the other side of a challenge?  What giants are you facing that make you feel like a grasshopper?  You must have Vision beyond the natural.  Vision is the ability to see God’s Presence.  Vision is the ability to perceive God’s Power.  Vision is the ability to focus on God’s Plan despite Obstacles.  We need to know that God is in the situation and become enthused.

The word Enthusiasm is from the Greek (Entheos) which means “God In.”  It is the ability to see God in a situation, and that makes it exciting.  God is Watching!  Something happens in our vision and we become convinced that God is involved in our activities and applauding them.  Not to be too long but I want to relate a story that illustrates this truth in a powerful manner.

There was a goof-off who played around with a football.  He was somewhere between the bench and the team.  If there was mischief, he was involved.  He was never serious, practiced but half-heartedly.  He had a uniform but never played with any enthusiasm.  He liked to hear the cheers, but not to charge the line.  He liked to wear the uniform but not practice.  He would never put himself out and invest himself with commitment.  

The players ran 50 laps, and he ran his usual 5.  The coach came to him and said, “Hey, kid, here’s a telegram for you.”  The boy said, “Coach, just read it to me.”  The coach opened the telegram and read, “Dear Son, Your father had died, come home immediately.”  The coach swallowed hard and said, “Take the rest of the week off and go home.”  The coach secretly hoped he take the year off or quit completely.

The next Friday night the boy showed up at the game. As soon as the game began, he came to the coach begging to play. This continued into the second half and the game was getting out of control as the other team was trampling on them.  The boy kept begging, “Coach please let me play.”  The coach finally looked at the scoreboard and said, in frustration, “Okay, get in there, you can’t hurt us now.” 

No sooner had the boy entered the game, the team exploded, he ran, blocked, and tackled like a star.  The electricity and enthusiasm spread through the entire team and the score became tied.  In the closing seconds of the game, he intercepted a pass and ran it back for a winning touchdown.  The stands erupted and the team was elated.

The kid was a hero.  The coach finally reached him and said, “Son, I never saw anything like that.  What happened to you?”  The young man looked at the coach and said, “Coach, you know that my dad died last week.”  The coach acknowledged that sad reality saying, “Yes, I read you the telegram.”  The boy said, “Well Coach, my dad was blind, and today was the first time he ever saw me play.” 

Today may be the first time that you realized that your Heavenly Father is watching your life.  He is watching and He cares!

God, bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him!