I was reading this morning from Numbers 13. Its the story of when the ten spies went into the promised land and came back to give a report.
Verse 32 says, "And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature."
I stopped there and thought, "That's not fair, they gave an honest report!" I sat with this for a moment and prayed for an answer. It's a good idea when reading Scripture to wrestle with it, not just ignore it.
I believe an honest report becomes a bad report because of two things.
1. We have unrealistic expectations about what breaking new ground will mean. For years these people had been fed by miraculous manna, did they expect this was going to be handed to them on a plate?
Psalm 23:5 says that the table is set IN THE PRESENCE OF OUR ENEMIES. Life is not perfect, we do have obstacles. Let's not be naive about what it means to break new ground, break old habits, create new ones.
2. They focused on the enemies, not the One who was hosting them at this table. Sure, the problems were there, but The Greater One had set this table, and the fact that he anoints us with oil is a sign that He is the host. Hosts don't walk away from the dinner, so let's give attention to the host, not the problems.
So while we acknowledge the problems, we look to the One who loves us, who provides for us, and who anoints us!
Next time we are facing some new ground, personally or otherwise let's not be unrealistic about the realities we are facing, but let's honour our Host, by trusting Him.
Now to demolish some old habits and establish some new ones.....
Until next time,
much love,
Lynda xx
