The Test

    We are all tested in life.  Things happen and you can chose to sit in despair or you can find a way to use the situation for the better.  I am not saying that it is easy, but you don't have to stay in the darkness.  You may go through a period where it feel like you get no relief.  You have to remember that it will not last forever.

    God had saved His people, healed His people, and organized His people.  He had given them time to get strong and secure in life, but every step had it's challenges to prepare for the test.  The point of a test is not to watch us fail, but to reveal to us where we need to do better and where our faith is lacking.  A true test will push you because it is never easy.

    Moses sent 12 men to explore the promised land to see who and what was in it.  He chose one man from each tribe to keep it fair and be able to see more of the land than if it was just one or two.  He asked them to bring back a full report.  The land was self sustaining, lush, and beautiful.  The men explored it for 40 days bring back some of it's fruit.

    When the men returned they gave Moses, Aaron, and the community a full report.  They did not want to proceed because the land had strong giant people living in it.  They did not believe that they could take the land and were too afraid to even try.  

    Caleb was the youngest among them, so he had remained silent to be respectful.  When he did speak up he silenced everyone.  He understood that with God all things were possible and that they should go take the land.  After all, God had already promised it to them.  He and Joshua argued against all of those that did not have the faith to take what was theirs.

    Here is the thing.  God makes promises to us that are good.  He never said it would not be hard along the way.  He expects you to work for what you want.  Free handouts does nothing for you in the long run.  We need them occasionally, but not everyday.  If you are not willing to fight for what God gives you, then you will lose it.  You can be afraid, but work through it.  God can remove the fear.

Numbers 13