Giants - by Bec Bonython
The Promise Land was on the Children of Israelites’ doorstep. It was just…there…
Everything God had promised was ready to go, but there were giants…BIG giants…
The land was fortified and the people were very powerful and the 12 spies looked like grasshoppers in their own eyes.
In Numbers 13 and 14, the Lord had been preparing the Children to enter into the Promise Land. It was theirs for the taking. The Lord even told Moses to send them out to spy out the land “which I am giving to the Israelites.” Yes, they needed to fight for it, but the Lord had promised it to them.
The spies did as the Lord commanded and checked out the land, but they returned fearful and did not trust the Lord at His word. 10 of the 12 spies perceived their opposition as stronger and bigger and vaster. These 10 were visualising their giants through the wrong lens. They were looking at their giants through the lens of the seen and not the unseen.
Ephesians 6:12 says: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the armour of God…”
2 Cor 4:18 “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Had all the spies been looking at the Promise Land through the lens of the unseen, they would have realised that:
In the unseen, the Lord was on their side.
In the unseen, they were much mightier and stronger than their enemy, because the Lord was with them.
In the unseen, the victory had already been won.
In the unseen, their faith had already guaranteed them entry into the Promise Land.
We know the story, and their fear and lack of faith cost the Children of Israel their promise! Only Joshua and Caleb entered into that which the Lord had promised. Why? They looked at their situation through the lens of the unseen. That is, they had faith. (Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Heb 11:1). They believed that the Lord was faithful to keep His promises and had assurance that the Lord went before them. They knew that with the Lord on their side, they could enter and take the Promise Land.
What giants are you facing?
May I encourage you to live your life in the unseen. The currency of heaven is faith and the Lord’s promises are there for you to cling onto. Can I encourage you ask the Lord for an increased measure of faith when facing your giant, and have the confidence to know that the Lord's promises are there for you as you enter into your Promise Land.