“…Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” Numbers 13:30
This past week I was shocked to hear our accountant say that Jerry and I owed a large amount of tax. It was unexpected, and the news came right before we were to close on a home. My eyes began to swell with tears, immediately recognizing that this tax bill would greatly affect our home plans. Our accountant gently asked in that quiet office, “Are you okay?” He’s a believer, and with my voice cracking, and I said, “I don’t know how He’s going to do it, but God will work it out.” Then my accountant and I began to share stories of money miracles we had witnessed.
We all face challenges. Life is full of them, but the way we face difficulties is an indicator of where we’re at in our faith in God and our dependency upon Him. No matter what comes our way and no matter how we may feel, inside the center of a faith filled believer is a faith that is anchored to the character of God and the Word He has spoken.
In the Bible book of Numbers, Moses sent twelve men to take a look into Canaan, the land God promised the Israelites. The twelve returned reporting the abundance and beauty they saw. They also reported about fortified cities and large, strong men who would fight to defend their homes. Israel was facing a big challenge.
When we face an insurmountable challenge and look at ourselves, we see our actual strength, abilities, and resources. We may feel confident that we can meet the challenge, or we may assess our situation and recognize we fall short of what is needed to overcome. This is where faith must come in. Our hope is not to be in ourselves, but our faith is to be in our God and His Word to us. Our focus has to be on His strength, ability, and resources – all of which are far greater than ours.
Ten of the investigative Israelites looked at the fortifications and armies and saw Israel as going under if they tried to take the land. Two of the twelve saw Israel as overcoming, going over, with the help of the Lord. Because the people of Israel agreed with the ten unbelieving men, they did not enter their promised land. The two believing men outlived everyone else and God took them into Canaan.
When we face a challenge, we can look at ourselves and see us as going under, or we can look at the Lord and see ourselves as going over! If we rely upon the Lord, there isn’t anything that comes our way that we, together with God, cannot overcome!
Application: Whatever mountain may seem to be in your way, believe that God will take you over it. You are an overcomer!