Tell Me A Story
I love a good story. We all do. A multi-million dollar business is focused solely on drawing us into storylines that will tug on our heartstrings. I know I am not the only one who cried like a baby at the end of “A Star Is Born.” We always want the hero to win and the villain to lose. If you saw “Avengers: The Infinity War,” then you were like thousands of other people. When the villain seemingly won at the end, the audience was left uncertain and confused. What just happened?
There is one story that has always intrigued me. The premise is based on a group of military spies who were sent to scope out another country. Their mission required they move throughout this foreign land undetected. Their goal was to assess the strength of the inhabitants and bring back the fruit from the land. The men spent forty days completing this investigation. When they returned home, they had to give an account of what they observed to their entire nation! When making their address to the people, they did confirm the foreign country was as wonderful and fruitful as expected. However, they reported the people in this land were too strong for them to defeat. This came as a great disappointment to everyone in their nation because they were banking on a good outcome. The people were up in arms!
Now appears our hero, Caleb. He was one of the twelve spies on this mission. Interrupting the press conference, he managed to calm everyone down so they would listen to what he had to say. Caleb exuded confidence and courage. He boldly stated this foreign nation did not stand a chance against them. He was convinced their military would be successful in conquering the land. Only one other spy, Joshua, agreed with him. Unfortunately, the other ten spies disagreed vehemently and continued to tell the people it wasn’t possible. They filled the nation with great doubt. But here is the kicker-God had already promised them this land! This is why Caleb could be so certain they would be victorious. He believed what God said and was not moved by what he saw with his own eyes.
As you are reading this, it may sound very familiar. It is actually a synopsis of a story about the Israelites in Numbers 13. The story continues in Numbers 14 with Caleb and Joshua pleading with the people to believe God! The people were not trying to hear that!!! They wanted to kill these men! (Read both chapters to get the full picture.)
Talking a closer look at Caleb and Joshua forced me to pause and reflect. How was I approaching the promises of God in my own life? Was I filled with faith or overtaken by doubt? Am I willing to put feet to my faith? Caleb and Joshua reminded me that my walk with God should be marked with boldness and courage. They reminded me I am called to audaciously pursue the promises of God. We are called to be audacious. We are called to be Audacious Arrows.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We believe you. Help us in our unbelief. Thank you that you are not a man that you would lie. Thank you that we can put our complete trust in You. Thank you that Your promises are sure. Help us to daily walk by faith and not by sight. Help us to be bold and courageous in everything You tell us to do.
In Jesus’ Name.