Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
February 18, 2024
Numbers 13:17-29
17 When Moses sent them out to explore the land of Canaan, he said to them, “Go up there into the arid southern plain and into the mountains. 18 You must inspect the land. What is it like? Are the people who live in it strong or weak, few or many? 19 Is the land in which they live good or bad? Are the towns in which they live camps or fortresses? 20 Is the land rich or poor? Are there trees in it or not? Be courageous and bring back the land’s fruit.” It was the season of the first ripe grapes. 21 They went up and explored the land from the Zin desert to Rehob, near Lebo-hamath. 22 They went up into the arid southern plain and entered Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of the Anakites, lived. (Hebron was built seven years before Tanis in Egypt.) 23 Then they entered the Cluster ravine, cut down from there a branch with one cluster of grapes, and carried it on a pole between them. They also took pomegranates and figs. 24 That place was called the Cluster ravine because of the cluster of grapes that the Israelites cut down from there. 25 They returned from exploring the land after forty days. 26 They went directly to Moses, Aaron, and the entire Israelite community in the Paran desert at Kadesh. They brought back a report to them and to the entire community and showed them the land’s fruit. 27 Then they gave their report: “We entered the land to which you sent us. It’s actually full of milk and honey, and this is its fruit. 28 There are, however, powerful people who live in the land. The cities have huge fortifications. And we even saw the descendants of the Anakites there. 29 The Amalekites live in the land of the arid southern plain; the Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites live in the mountains; and the Canaanites live by the sea and along the Jordan.”
Good Morning! This is the Lord’s Day! Rejoice!
Whenever our family planned a trip, we would research the area using maps and travel brochures, and if possible, we would go and reconnoiter. We wanted to make sure we were prepared so that we would have a good time.
When Moses sent the group to check out this new place, he had a specific list of tasks to complete. The group did as they were told and came back and made their report. Despite all the good things they found, they focused on the challenges they would face. In the next verses, Caleb would speak to quiet the crowds and share his belief that they should go there because they could overcome the problems. But the doubters spoke loudly about their fear.
Sometimes in our lives, we must step boldly into a situation that stands before us. Yes, we know of the challenges, but the benefits outweigh the problems. In those moments, we need to enter the arena and focus on what is good.
Imagine a sporting event where one team decides they can’t win before the game begins. You might as well go ahead and record the loss in the book. When God is with us, there are no challenges that we can’t overcome. We read stories like David and Goliath and Daniel in the Lion’s Den, and the seeds of hope and belief are planted. Then we read of Jesus’ death and resurrection and know that God can even conquer death!
Even though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil. Thy rod and thy staff will comfort me.
Gracious God, Thank you for this beautiful gift of life. We are weak, but you are strong! Thank you for leading us through our challenges! We thank you! In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God is with us no matter what giants we face.
Step boldly in the name of Christ! Pastor Liz