As I was reading in my chronological Bible reading plan, the assigned passage for today was Numbers 15-16. When I got to Numbers 16:13, something really jumped out at me that I’d not seen before. It says: “Is it not enough that you brought us up from a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the wilderness? Do you also have to appoint yourself as ruler over us?”
Something about that verse just didn’t sound right. Weren’t the Israelites heading TO the land of milk and honey? Isn’t that what God promised them? And didn’t He even give them a chance to enter into the land in Numbers 14? Read that chapter if you have forgotten how they (except for Caleb and Joshua) refused to go into the Promised Land due to their fear of the giants in the land.
What the Israelites craved was the very thing God tried to give them, but they refused to trust Him to accomplish it!
That made me think about how much I am like that as well. I often want something so much, but then when God gives me an opportunity to experience it, I resist taking it. It’s too big for me. It might not work out. It might not _____. Or, it might _____.
As a leader, do you ever feel that way too? Do you ask God for something big in your life or ministry, and then when He says, “Here you go,” you shy away from it? Have you ever refused to take on the giants through God’s power? Have you started looking at your own abilities, deciding you cannot handle it?
Ladies, if we want to model for the women we serve and lead how big and faithful our God is, then we must act in boldness when He says “take the land!” We must do this not in our own abilities but in His power!
What do you fear today? Have you experienced God’s call on your life, and does it scare you to death? Trust God to accomplish it through you! He honors your obedience.
Due to the people of God not trusting God’s power, they spent 40 years in the desert instead of the land of milk and honey. From that generation, only Joshua and Caleb lived to see the Lord bring then into the Promised Land.
Let’s be courageous as Joshua. And when God says, “Here you go,” let’s run toward what He is offering and give Him the glory for what He does!
Chris Adams is senior lead women’s ministry specialist at Lifeway Christian Resources in Nashville, Tenn. Learn more about Chris here.
