Life-Giving words (4)

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord.

Still looking into how our words can bring life or death. We consider now the case of Joshua and Caleb who were part of the 12 spies who went to Canaan, but unlike the 10 who brought an evil report, they brought a different one. The Bible records:

Primary Text

“And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt. Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel. And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes: And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not. But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel.” Numbers 14v1-10 (KJV)

Beloved, you do not have to say what others are saying. It is easy to be one of the crowd, but remember who you are – the child of the Most High God. A son speaks differently from a servant or a visitor to a house. Others might complain and grumble but a child is more hesitant to speak against the father – because you know better what is going on. Caleb and Joshua demonstrated this and God rewarded them for it. The other 10 spies brought an evil report, the people became discouraged and forgot all that the Lord had done for them in time past. Their words began to reflect a distrust of God and His abilities to save them, their distrust of His love for them and His plans for their lives. Beloved, what is that mountain before you or that giant that is causing you to doubt the Lord? Has He ever failed you? Please be careful what you say.

Supplementary Text

“Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it: But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it. (Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites dwelt in the valley.) Tomorrow turn you, and get you into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea. And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me. Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the Lord, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward which have murmured against me. Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.” Numbers 14v22-30 (KJV)

Prayer

Father, we thank You for the power You have given to words. We ask O Lord for Your mercy and forgiveness for words that we have spoken against You even though You have shown us Your faithfulness over and over again. Forgive us O Lord. Let us not be afraid of circumstances that present themselves but to put our trust in You continually. We pray that You will help us that our words will always glorify You and be life-giving words in Jesus name, amen.