Numbers 13-14

With which eyes do you view the challenges and situations of your life? With worldly eyes or spiritual eyes? Do you look at the physical circumstances and make decisions or do you apply the principles of faith?

This is a hard line to walk. We are to be wise in our dealings. Jesus calls us to be like kings who assess the odds before going to war or architects who consider the costs before building. Yet at the same time, He calls us to live by faith, not simply by sight. Where do we draw the line?

A clear example comes from our text today. The Israelites sent spies into the land of Canaan to assess the land and the people there. Their report came back a mixed bag. The land was indeed "flowing with milk and honey" but at the same time the cities were heavily fortified and the people seemed as giants and made them feel like grasshoppers in their own sight.

So what do you do? The majority of the spies were convinced they would be beaten badly if they went in and recommended they stay out. In fact they began seeking out a leader to take them back to Egypt so they could eat their melons and cucumbers again! But in this case it is clear that Joshua and Caleb are right on target. They knew God's promise and realized though the people might be big and their cities fortified, "their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with [Israel]."

God had been promising the promise land for over 400 years! He promised His protection, His presence, His power to the people of Israel so that they might conquer it. The entire congregation of Israel knew God's promise, but Joshua and Caleb went further and believed God's promises. It didn't matter to them who and what they saw, they knew the God who had made the declarations and were ready to walk in and take their rightful place. They applied the principles of faith... despite the physical circumstances.

But what about us today? Here's my example. I still have a house to sell in Oldham county. Looking at the circumstances I am considering lowering my price to attract buyers, considering whether to remain with the realtor I have or not, and potentially considering writing my own offer to a potential buyer who has been looking at the house for several months now. What do I do?

Do I stay the course and wait on God? He called us to Piner, He is faithful to take care of our situation. Will He bring a buyer soon, should I just sit on the property until then? Or do I take action? Does taking action imply a lack of faith? I am trying to view the situation from a spiritual vantage point, but God hasn't promised any concrete statements to me. So do I go and "knock" on the buyers door so that God can "open" it to us?

Surely in Scripture there are lots of promises of God that we can cling to and affirm in our lives. People have made lots of money off books like, "God's little book of Promises," etc. He guarantees that He works all things for the good of those who love Him. But He also demands that we work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Trials bring about perseverance, perseverance, proven character and proven character, hope. According to James, we are perfected by trials.

So, in my mind here's where I stand. We are to apply God's promises to our lives and claim them wholeheartedly. But just because we have His promises doesn't mean He does all the leg work. In fact, today's story is a case in point. Joshua and Caleb realized the battles would still have to be fought. The Canaanites were not going to just roll over and give up their possessions. So too today, we are called to live in God's promises, prayerfully following God's calling the best we know how. This should never contradict Scripture. We are to be wise like serpents, but as faithful as little children.

God, may You grant to each of us, in whatever situations we face, the wisdom and grace to walk according to faith. May we not sit and expect You to miraculously move every time, nor let us run ahead of Your promises and provisions. Rather may we walk with You, trusting You and believing Your promises.