Let's Take the Land!

This morning, I'm reading about the 12 spies sent to check out the Promised Land. You know the story. Ten of them come back with a feasability study that says, "God cannot accomplish His will through us. The task is too big." Well, that's not what they said, but that's what their negative report concluded.

But Caleb and Joshua, two of the twelve, saw things differently. They said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it!" Of course they could! How? Because the God who had delivered them, parted the Red Sea, destroyed the armies of Pharaoh, fed them manna and quail -- ALL WITHOUT THEIR HELP! -- said that He would give them the land.

You know, God has told His people today similar things. Unfortunately, there are far too many "10-spyers" and too few Joshuas and Calebs. And for some reason, "why we can't" appeals to the flesh more than "God is with us."

On another note from my reading. Miriam and Aaron try to undermine Moses, so God strikes Miriam with leprosy. Then, in the next event, the people get caught up in a frenzy at the report of the spies -- and want to go back to Egypt where slavery was so wonderful (go figure). Some people would rather live in slavery than within the activity of God.

Catch this! Moses is the one who intercedes with the Lord over both these issues. He begs God to cleanse Miriam of her leprosy, and he begs Him to forgive the people of their obstinance. Wow! What a heart. Rather than extracting revenge, Moses wants to extend mercy to those who have wronged him. God, give me that kind of heart as I lead Your people. But please, give us the kind of confidence in you that says, "Let's take the land!"