I always love the beginning of the new year, not because of resolutions or holiday parties, but just the freshness of a brand new start, the anticipation of things to come, and the hope that what's in front of you is better than what's been behind you.
I always imagined that's how the children of God felt as they wandered in the wilderness with Moses before they came into the promised land. There must've been hope and anticipation of better things ahead, a land flowing with milk and honey and everything.
I was recently reading about that part of our heritage in Numbers 13. It was the story of God telling Moses to send out spies into the land:
"1 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 "Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel. From each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a chief among them." - Numbers 13:1–2
The Lord goes on in the following verses to tell them they have three jobs to do on their super spying mission:
- Spy out the land and, look at everything, take inventory so that you can bring back a report.
- Be courageous as you move with the confidence and instruction of God.
- Bring back some agriculture examples to evidence just how good the land is to all those waiting to hear the spies' report.
Well, they did… ok.
On the first assignment, they knocked it out of the park. Moving on foot from Paran, where the nation was camped, to regions all about the promised land, they covered more than 200 miles on foot. Seems aggressive, thorough, and worthy of applause (good job, men).
On the second assignment, again, great job. They cut down some grapes so big and fruitful they had to be carried on a pole between two guys. It was impressive and probably pretty tasty.
But, on the third assignment…there was a problem.
The report of the spies was anything but positive. It was filled with fear, worry, and concern. As they traveled throughout the land, they saw giants, fortified cities, and struggles to come. They were intimidated and fretful, anything but "of good courage" (Numbers 13:20).
It made me wonder why God would send them to spy out the land if that were to be the effect.
But here are a few things to ponder:
- God did not send them on recon for information. He was fully aware of what was in the Promised Land.
- God sent them to see the land so they could see for themselves and "be encouraged."
- The fact that they were not encouraged says more about the spies than it does the task in front of them or the God leading them.
You see, these spies missed something in the original assignment. The verse we have already read said, "The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 "Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel. From each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a chief among them." - Numbers 13:1–2
As they spied out the land, they compared their small size to the giants that lived there. They thought about the fortified cities compared to their nomadic tents. They considered the home-field advantage of the Canaanites as they would be playing an extended series of road trip away games.
They forgot God had already said it was NOT on them because He was giving it to them.
In this new year, there are several challenges in front of you. Things big, looming, and intimidating. But stop looking at the road ahead through the eyes of your human weakness and see it through the lens of the God who lives inside of you. As a follower of Jesus, you have the Holy Spirit of God to lead, guide, and protect. You are not alone, and you will not move into 2024 alone.
So, my friends, let's "be of good courage" and keep in step with the Spirit. This will be a great year!