Some innate force propels me when someone tells me I can't do something. It sets a chain reaction prompting me to fulfill this new desire. I remember when I first began camping with my boys. I was an older parent and my children were quite young. In the beginning I went with friends relishing the closeness of comradery incase the inevitable would happen.
But soon, due to other expectations, my friend's list dwindled and I was left alone. Fearing I may not take the annual camping trip I decided to set out alone with my two boys, the oldest not yet eight. Oh, and how I was met with such displeasure from family and friends "Are you insane? You can't go alone for 14 days on the road yourself!"
"You are not thinking clearly. Then you can't go to remote places any longer."
"Please tell me you are not thinking of doing this again this year with a car that barely runs."
But these helpful voices only made me more determined to not undermine the open highway before me. I was destined to become a summer traveler enjoying God's country as I puttered along in tow with my camper. Did I ever regret it when the inevitable occurred and I was forced to find service stations? Never! Not once would I turn back or forfeit the next future adventure. I knew God protected me always against my "giants".
Today's verse takes place at the point during the Exodus of Israel when the tribes were camped in the desert preparing to take possession of what God had promised. Twelve men, including Joshua and Caleb, were sent by Moses to reconnoiter the Promised Land.
When the spies returned from quietly observing their new undertakings, all twelve reported that it was a good land and well worth it. Flowing with milk and honey, none of these travelers would ever want for again. But ten of the twelve did not have the faith to be brave. They were not by nature as adventurous as Caleb and Joshua. They told the people that there were giants in the land, and that the Israelites could not defeat them.
This incident reminds me of what we often face in life with our faith. We think God might be asking us to take a risk. We carefully analyze the situation only to discover there are "giants" in this new endeavor and opt out silently.
You need to understand that God is bigger than these giants in your life. God wants you to succeed and needs you to listen to your faith and take risks, even if you are emotionally disconnected. What iore unnerving is looking back and not making the attempt. Then spending your life wandering in the wilderness of "I wish I had" for enternity. God wants you to be like Caleb and say, "Yes, I can do this with your help, Lord."