This was their report to Moses: “We entered the land you sent us to explore, and it is indeed a bountiful country—a land flowing with milk and honey. Here is the kind of fruit it produces. But the people living there are powerful, and their towns are large and fortified. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak!
The Amalekites live in the Negev, and the Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites live in the hill country. The Canaanites live along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea[a] and along the Jordan Valley.”
But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!” . But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are! Numbers 13: 25-31
The Israelites had walked through the wilderness and finally arrived at the promised land. This was what the entire journey was about, this is the destination. When they got here, God thought it wise to show them the fruits and glory of the land. So He instructed Moses to send 12 spices. Moses obeyed, the spices went to the land and came back with a report. While all 12 spies agreed that the land God was giving to them was very good, 10 of them had a BUT. 10 people said the land was good but the opposition was too powerful, and we cannot take it.
This was their new, God had delivered them with a mighty hand from Egypt for this, and they had walked for days to get to this place. This is what the journey was about and right here on the brink of entering the new, ten spices decide it is too difficult we can not do it. The cost of this decision, a combination of unbelief, fear, mindset, and more was 40 years of wandering in the desert.
While it is easy to read this story and think, how could they have done that, this tends to play out in our lives more times than we sometimes admit. How many times have you sensed God prompting you to step out into a new venture, maybe take a new job, move to a new city, or start a new project? Like with the Israelites, He shows you the fruits, the blessings that would come if you venture into the new He has for you. But what happens? Most times we find BUTS. Lord, I would love to move but… It’s too expensive for me at the moment. The city is great and I believe I would love it but the cost of living there is quite high, I’m not sure I can afford it. Lord this project would be great, but I don’t think I have the time at the moment, I would need help and I do not have the resources.
What are your BUTS? What is God calling you into this season and what is holding you back? Do not let your fears and excuses hold you back from the new thing God has given you. Here are some key lessons to note from Israel’s response at the brink of their New season:
The fact that you walked through the wilderness does not mean you will step into the new. If your fear and excuses supersede your faith and courage, you will get to the verge of the new and turn back.
Stepping into a new season, new venture, and new opportunity would require faith. You’ve got to trust God beyond your resources, understanding, and concerns. It takes courage to break into new territories, coming into new seasons is not for the faint-hearted.
On the brink of every new season would be the test to either stay the course and keep moving forward or turn back. The decision to turn back may look easier at the moment but would cost you your future. The decision to move forward may be most challenging but will birth the new season and bring you great rewards. Find strength, move forward
You’ve walked through the wilderness, you’ve endured the sun and challenges that came along. You have persevered till this moment, you’re right on the verge of a new season. Don’t turn away. Trust God to take care of all the BUTS, cast your cares on Him, and find the courage to step in and possess your land.
