“The Lord spoke to Moses, ‘Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel…
“Moses sent them… and said, “Go up into the hill country, and see… whether the people are strong or weak,.. few or many, and whether the land… is good or bad,.. and whether the land is rich or poor… Be of good courage and bring some of the fruit of the land…’
“So they went up… into the Negeb and came to Hebron… The descendants of Anak were there… And they… cut down a branch with a single cluster of grapes, and carried it on a pole between two of them; they also some pomegranates and figs…
“At the end of forty days they returned.., [and said], ‘The land… flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit…’
“Caleb… said, ‘Let’s go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.’ The men who had gone with him said, ‘We’re not able to go up against the people, for they’re stronger than we are.’ So they brought… a bad report.., saying, ‘The land… devours its inhabitants, and all the people are of great height… We seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers…’
“All the congregation… wept that night [and] grumbled against Moses.., ‘Would that we had died in Egypt! Or… this wilderness!.. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?'” Numbers 13:1-2a,17-23,25,27,30-14:3
For Eve, the enemy was too attractive. Where Saul’s army had cowered before Goliath, David viewed God’s honor and power as greater than any giant. Jehoshaphat turned from the cruel horde of Canaanites to trust the Lord. Here, on the edge of the promised land, the untested, frightened spies saw Canaan’s occupants as simply too big, and anticipated certain humiliation and defeat, where Caleb and Joshua alone saw and wanted to seize God’s greater promise. (Genesis 3:1-6; 1 Samuel 17:1-11,24,32-51; Numbers 14:6-11; 2 Chronicles 20:12-17)
We face many enemies every day, internal and external. Attacks on our faith, our marital fidelity, our determination for good and honesty at work. The press of depression, discouragement, and doubt can be relentless. But with every onslaught, every swipe to head or heart, we decide where to set our vision. It is true that the One in us, the ever-conquering Savior, is greater than this one who is in the world! It is true that He is on our side, and nothing can separate us from His tenacious love or snatch us from His hand! Will we cower in fear before the enemy, or gladly, confidently say, let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome? (John 10:10,28-29; Romans 8:31-39; 1 John 4:4)
Yes, the enemy is big. He is wiley and ferocious and plots only for evil and destruction. But God is greater, bigger, more mighty, and marvelous! Where will we focus? Will we fixate on every giant, doubt, fetish, and temptation rather than putting our eyes on Him? Where has our vision blurred with over-concern with the devil and too little a concern for the Lord? When will we allow the mighty Lord to clear and fill it with a holy, victorious view of Him? (1 Peter 5:8)
Father, give me a sober view of the enemy and an honest, hopeful vision of You, the Greatest One.
As the rain and snow 