Go Up!
Today’s Verse:
And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. ~Numbers 13:30
Today is the last day of the calendar year. If you feel like me, the last year went by really fast. This is indicative of busyness and many planned activities. However, the gauge of our effectiveness is not how much we are doing, but also if we are making progress. As we approach a new year, we must do so with a fresh outlook and a keen desire for God to do something great in us. At a time when the nation of Israel was on the cusp of God doing something great through them, it was Caleb who exhorted them that they could do it. As we are about to start a new year, let us go up at once and possess it!
We see the potential.
“And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs.” Twelve leaders, one from each of the tribes, was sent into Kadeshbarnea to survey the land of promise and bring back a sample of what to expect. We must remember that God promised to give them the land. They just needed to go forward and possess it. The men sent to this area brought back a substantial sample of the produce of the land. The cluster of grapes, pomegranates, and figs were of immense size, delicious, and just waiting for the Israelites to take it. The New Year has the potential of surpassing anything you have done in the past. Look long and hard at the potential of great success!
We see the pushback.
“But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.” Ten of the leaders gave strong pushback to Moses about going into Kadeshbarnea. They were disheartened. They looked at the people of that land area and said, “We saw the giants and we are like grasshoppers in their sight.” They were scared out of their wits to face the giants of the land. They wanted the rewards without the risks. They wanted the fruit without the frustrations. Anytime we try something new, there will be fear. Then, they were doubtful. They said, “We be not able to go up against them.” They took one look and decided they could not do it. So, they gave Moses, Joshua, and Caleb pushback. They said, “We cannot, and we will not.” If we start the New Year with a doubtful attitude, we have failed before we have even begun.
We see the persuasion.
“And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.” Caleb was persuaded! He had absolute faith in an absolute God. He saw an opportunity and not an obstacle. He saw a priority and not a problem. He saw God and not giants. He had faith that could see the impossible. Caleb was positive. He said, “We are well able to possess it.” He did not start debating with the naysayers. He took control of the situation and told everyone they were well able. With God, all things are possible. Caleb was paramount. He said, “Let us go up at once.” He was saying, “Let’s go up now!” He was saying, “Let us go up once and get it done.”
We see the possibility.
The New Year is almost here. We, too, have our giants that stand in the way of our conquering the land. However, we must go up at once to possess it. Let us decide today that our motto for the coming year is to go up at once and possess it. See the possibilities, exercise great faith, and go up now!
Have a faith-inspired God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Revelation 20-22