May 13th 2023
Topic: “A VICTOR NOT A VICTIM”
Text: Numbers 13:26-33
Memory Verse: Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, ‘We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it. (Numbers 13: 30)
Twelve men went to spy out the land, two out of twelve gave a report of victory. They were less concerned about the stature of the giants in the land. The important thing to them was what God said about giving them the land and so they were ready to possess it. The remaining ten played the victim, they said ‘we can’t attack those people they are stronger than we are’. Ten men, the voice of the majority, played the victim. Caleb was a many full of faith, strength and fearless. When he was eighty-five, forty years after the incident he reminded Joshua of the land Moses promised to give him, because he stood out. He told Joshua that he was still as strong in old age, as he had been forty years earlier.
Most Christians play the victim because of fear and ignorance while some just want to be pitied. God did not feed Israel’s minds with negative things concerning the Promise Land. He only told them about the good in that land. He never said the land was unoccupied, and He made no mention of giants. He wanted them to know that their God is bigger than any giant and that He is able to grant them victory over the giants and hand over the land to them. Be careful what you listen to. Some information is not necessary, because it breeds fear instead of faith. You will notice that Caleb did not give a graphic description of the inhabitants of the land. Caleb never even mentioned them in his report, he only confirmed the good things God had said about the land.
Faith in the efficacy of God’s Word strengthens the heart. That is why the Scriptures say faith comes by hearing and by hearing the Word of God. If you want to walk in the strength of the Lord, in the face of challenges let the Word of God dwell richly in you and begin to live by faith in the Word you have stored in your heart.