This morning I read the passage in Numbers chapter 13 and 14 where Moses sent out the 12 representatives to scout out the future land of Israel.  Joshua and Caleb were part of the 12.  Moses asked them to bring back proof of the great produce of the land because God had said the land flowed with milk and honey.  For the next 40 days these 12 men scouted out the land, the people, the cities and the produce.  They grabbed one cluster of grapes so large it took 2 men to carry, as well as some pomegranates and figs.   They returned to report what they saw to the people of Israel and Moses.  They all describe the incredible bounty of the land, but 10 of them focused on the giants and walled cities they encountered and believed could not be conquered.  Caleb declared that if God was with them, nothing could stand in the way of taking the land. The report of the 10 basically incited a riot of the people and they cried all night long, longing to be back in Egypt where they could have died, but not in battle.  

Do you find this incredible like I do?

The People of Israel had seen God wipe out the Egyptian armies, they saw the Red Sea part, they ate manna and meat from God’s hand.  They saw God cover the Tabernacle by day with a cloud and by night  with a pillar of fire.   Yet, they doubted God could deliver the land that He had promised.

I find it easy to criticize the people of Israel and their lack of faith in God, yet right now I am doing exactly the same thing.  I have seen God do so many incredible miracles in my life. In just the last 5 years of iWork4Him radio, Martha and I have witnessed miracle after miracle.  Yet I still doubt, and complain, and sometimes even long for the life I once had where I didn’t have to live by faith. 

In the words of Joshua, Son of Nun in Joshua 24:15  

“Today I declare, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

He is faithful and He is merciful and He is gracious to me even when I have so little faith. Choose today who you will serve.