THE TRAIL OF DEEP FAITH

JOSHUA AND CALEB

GOD REWARDS EVERYONE WITH ABSOLUTE FAITH

SCRIPTURE READING : NUMBERS 13 & 14

MEMORY VERSE : HEBREWS 11:26

INTRO TO JOSHUA AND CALEB 

*Two spies who brought back a good report and believed that God would do the impossible ,

POSSIBLE.

*They were the only men from their generation allowed to go into the Promised Land after wandering for 40 years.

STORY OF JOSHUA AND CALEB

After being saved miraculously in Egypt, God's people had almost reached the Promised Land when God told Moses to send few men to bring a report of the land of Canaan.

Moses picked the leader from each tribe and so there were 12 spies who set out courageously to explore an unknown land. Moses had specific things for them to spy upon… example... what kind of people live there - few or many, strong or weak, good or bad, What kind of vegetation? Were they fortified? Many such questions. He also insisted on them to bring a fruit from the land of Canaan.

For 40 days these men were looking for answers all around the land of Canaan. At the valley of Eshcol, they cut down a branch with a single cluster of grapes, carrying it on a pole along with some figs and pomegranate. They then proceeded back to Moses, Aaron and the other Israelites who were tented at Kadesh.

They had great things to say about the land, (land flowing with milk and honey, great fruits etc..) But they also said that the people who lived there were strong and the cities were large and fortified. Caleb being an exceptional spy suggested to Moses that they should courageously go up and take possession of the land. But the remaining spies except Joshua and Caleb got scared, and scared the rest of the Israelites too by saying that they would be crushed by the inhabitants if they tried capturing it. The Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron. They regretted leaving Egypt. They even wanted to appoint another leader in place of Moses and Aaron and return back to Egypt.

Moses and Aaron along with Joshua and Caleb urged the congregation not to rebel against the Lord. They gave them the assurance that God is with them and that He would weaken the enemies. But the Israelites were stubborn.

The Lord got very angry that even after witnessing miracles the Israelites were so stone hearted. He told Moses that he will get rid of them and start a new nation through Moses.But Moses tells God that if He gets rid of them then His reputation will be tarnished.Lord hears to this and forgives them but says that only Joshua and Caleb will enter the Promised Land but nobody else.The rest will die without rejoicing the Promised Land.Joshua and Caleb were spared because of their absolute faith in God.

HIGHLIGHTS/TAKEAWAYS

*Joshua and Caleb were different from others who spied the Promised Land.

*They were visionaries with an optimistic approach.

*They had just witnessed God's invisible hand which held back the Red Sea as they walked on dry land.

* They had witnessed God work on behalf of them to free them from Egypt multiple times.

LESSONS FROM JOSHUA AND CALEB/APPLICATIONS

*Men (problems) are big but our GOD is BIGGER

*Reaching our destination seems impossible but with GOD NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE

*Nothing is big deal for GOD..He has done it in the past He will continue to do it

*No wall He won't kick down that is coming after us.

*All we need is ABSOLUTE FAITH IN HIM.

 

INFERENCE

What seems impossible with man is possible only with GOD.

Hear your call completely through, stay under God's instruction with absolute faith and witness God's miracles.

Wholeheartedly follow God....

Let Him lead you. The Holy Spirit will help, use, guide and mold you to glorify His name.

He is our personal Guide and Teacher on this trail of Faith.

He allowed Joshua and Caleb to see their giants and now He is showing us the same. We have a choice to either fear just like the way Israelite's did and lose the importunity to enter Promised Land or can have the same strong faith and belief in God and go in there with a positive attitude and come out victorious glorifying His name and accomplish everything that God wants to through us.

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD