I grew up in a family absolutely obsessed with college football. We had season tickets to Alabama football games for years, and most of my extended family on my mother’s side actually lives in Tuscaloosa, where the University of Alabama is located. Our family is also notoriously a bit superstitious (or as Michael Scott from The Office would say, “a little stitious”). If Alabama wins the first game of the season and you have a new shirt, congratulations! You’re wearing that shirt every Saturday for the next three months. But if the team loses…throw that shirt in the garbage because you’re never wearing it again. Someone leaves the room to go to the bathroom and Alabama scores a touchdown during a particularly close game? Better get really comfortable in that bathroom because you can’t come out until the game’s over.
These quirky superstitions are all in good fun (if you come to watch a football game at my home in New York, I promise I won’t lock you in the bathroom), but there is some part of us that is probably being a little serious. Why? Because we want to believe that we can control the outcome of the game.
That’s where my family’s football obsession connects to this story in Numbers. The Israelites had been told since before they left Egypt that God was going to bring them into the promised land. God’s promise to them was that He would bring them out of their suffering and into a land flowing with milk and honey. But when these twelve men came back from scouting the land that God had promised to them, they were uncertain. Moses had told them to be courageous, but they returned doubtful that God would be able to come through on His promise. They thought the game was in their hands, but they had on their unlucky shirts.
The problem with this picture is that the Israelites were relying on their own strength to fulfill the promises of God. When God promised to bring the Israelites into the promised land, He promised that He would do it. It would be His might, His power, and His strength that fulfilled the promise. The Israelites had to keep up their end of the bargain—remaining faithful to God and following His commandments—but they were not responsible for winning the war that would lead to the fulfillment of God’s promise. All they had to do was trust in God.
When we try to fight our battles in our own strength, we end up like the spies Moses sent out to scout the land or the disciples in the boat during the storm: discouraged, doubtful, and afraid. But when we rely on God to provide the victory, we stand courageous in the face of trial. Our battles are no match for the strength of the almighty God who has promised that His presence goes with us always.
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72 thoughts on "Scouting Out Canaan"
“The problem with this picture is that the Israelites were relying on their own strength to fulfill the promises of God. When God promised to bring the Israelites into the promised land, He promised that He would do it. It would be His might, His power, and His strength that fulfilled the promise. The Israelites had to keep up their end of the bargain—remaining faithful to God and following His commandments—but they were not responsible for winning the war that would lead to the fulfillment of God’s promise. All they had to do was trust in God.”
Wow! That quote convicted me today. I have been paralyzed by fear for a long while now and I have even said to family and friends that I do absolutely trust God but the fear is because I don’t trust my own abilities and I could not see how to get through all the fear. God has been showing me the path and each time I think “Yes! That’s what I need to do” the fear creeps back in. I am going to print these words out and put them up around my house to remind me that God has this. All I need to do is move forward and know He’s got this, just as He has in so many other instances in my life.
Thanks, I truly needed this message today.
Fear is a liar!!! Praying we all are Caleb’s showing great faith in our Lord!!!
When we rely on God to provide the victory, we stand courageous in the face of trial.
♥️
What an awesome reminder today! Two years ago today my dad tried to take his own life in a very catastrophic way. So many of you wonderful ladies prayed for me and my family to heal and have strength to live forward. We are so grateful our story ended better than some and will forever be thanking God for that. As I walked into work this morning I heard gun shots. This isn’t the normal for where I live. Come to find out a young man who was surround by police ended up taking his own life. Such a tragic way to start an already heavy day. I pray for him and his family going forward. Happy Friday ladies. Love you all and praying for everybody.
I am working on trusting God more, I have been let down so much by people of the world that I forget that God will never let me down and He always is true to His promises. Then I try things on my own and it does turn out the way thought it would.
Good Day Shes
Made it through almost a week of techno-daze & starting to catch on to new tactics. Coming into the conversation only to say: My Lord “be the biggest & baddest” in whatever “hood”. Winning every battle on my behalf. Mine is only to hold on & hold up the banner of belief. And ever is this needed in my world, entering into a contentious Mother’s Day weekend. Last year was painfully painful! My stepdaughter & me. Praying for reconnection & reconciliation. Forgiveness. Forging ahead. Not “milk & honey” perhaps but purely the “milk” of human kindness, poured out abundantly. Asking this in the name of our brother Jesus & affirmed by fellow SRT followers. Amen & Amen
Praying for God to speak into the heart of your stepdaughter, and for healing and strengthening of your relationship.
❤️
I have one praise and a prayer request today. My church is on the smaller side and we have been pursuing funding for projects to improve the safety, security, function, and appearance of our ‘campus’. Like many congregations, we lost many members during Covid and giving has dropped every year. But in spite of that, our congregation has given of themselves so faithfully. I can see God moving hearts to build his kingdom in my community through this church. We are so blessed!
My prayer request is that my husband and I will have one of our dogs, currently suffering from cancer, euthanized at home this afternoon. We are heartbroken, but we don’t want her to suffer. Asking for prayers for our little two human, two pups family. We are childless and love our fur babies so much.
Lifting your requests up in prayer and wishing you all a blessed and restful weekend. ❤️
Praying! ❤
❤️
My husband shared a reel with me on instagram from a pastor (can’t find it now, it disappears after I watch it…) who said we often look at our circumstances and think, there is no way anything good can come out of this, there is no way God can turn this around for my good, and if I can’t see any good way that this will go, well then that must be how it will go. Who are we that we can determine that the circumstances are too dire, or too impossible, or that nothing good can come from a situation? Do we have all knowledge? Do we know everything that is going to happen in our lives? Can we possibly predict every outcome? It was a good reminder for me to stop putting human limits on a God who is not human. I am so often like the spies, or like Job, or like so many humans in the Bible, who can only see human solutions, human paths. Lord, help to remember that YOU are guiding my paths and YOU are God and I am not.
I read something similar in my study time this morning. Frkm Vines Expository Bible Notes:
Applying the Message | Num. 13
It’s Your Choice
Even today, life can be like wandering in a wilderness. We get up and go through the same routine every day. We go to our jobs and do repetitious activities. We go to school, to the same classes. Things don’t always go right for us, and our normal tendency is to complain.
Well, we basically have two choices. We may not be able to change the situation, but we can choose how to respond to it. We can go through life miserable, dwelling on the negative and choosing to respond to almost everything with complaining, grumbling, and griping. Or, we can go through life and choose happiness. Certain things may occur that do not inspire happiness in and of themselves, but we have a joy that comes from the Lord Jesus Christ, and this joy is above the circumstances. Someone asks, “How are you getting along?” A customary response may be, “Oh, I’m doing pretty well under the circumstances.” It’s time to choose a different answer.
The good news is we don’t have to live under the circumstances. We can live above the circumstances in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Today, you can choose to stop complaining. You can choose joy.
Thank you for posting this Cee Gee!
Sisters, as I read my daily devotional in “Jesus Always”, the words fit in to the readings and posts.
“Your choices matter, beloved. They are a vital part of My transforming work in you.You make most of your choices alone –in the solitude of your heart and mind. But remember: I am Christ in you! I know every thought before you think it, every decision before you make it. Your realization that I’m aware of everything going on within you can protect your from careless, selfish living. Let your desire to please Me, the One who knows you so intimately, change the way you think and live.” It goes on to suggest when we assume are choices are insignificant or unimportant to God, we might just go off on our own. Listening and praying for direction can lead us down the right or better path. How often do I start down the path before waiting to hear? Lifting prayer requests and sending blessings!
So good!
This hit home!
“When we try to fight the battles in our own strength, we end up discouraged, doubtful, and afraid. When we rely on God to win the victory, we stand courageous in the face of trial.”
I’ve been struggling lately…gotta admit. Been relying on my own strength and it’s not enough. But God…
Oh but God!!
My daughter gave me a book on prayer last week and I was so convicted! I’ve been praying Big prayers ever since. And as you all know, God came through! His strength wins the battles!!
And the results of all the scans, tests, etc. this week at Barnes Jewish were wonderful. No evidence of brain tumor! And Steve’s strength continues to improve. He may never get full feeling in his feet again, but they encourage us that continuing to walk, exercise, and just move will remind the muscles how to work. He may have to always use a cane, but at least he can walk! And I may always have to lug the wheelchair into the car for him…walking long distances is difficult…but I will have God’s strength for whatever lies ahead.
Hugs to all and thanks for your prayers. ❤️
Great news!
That’s all wonderful news! Hugs.
AWEsome testimony! ❤
That’s Wonderful Sue!! Praise God!
❤️ Praise God!
NED! ❤️
In a recent sermon, my pastor, said it’s not how big our giants are but it is how big our God is!
It seems so easy to look down on the spies or the men in the boat but let me get in a storm
From Wiersbe NKJV Study Bible
“Unbelief is serious because it challenges the character of God and rebels against the will of God. “Without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Heb. 11:6). Moses reminded the people of what God had already done for them (Deut. 1:29–33), but they wouldn’t stop complaining. They were sure that the best thing to do was return to Egypt and go back into bondage.”
The last line of the devo is such a good reminder!
“Our battles are no match for the strength of the almighty God who has promised that His presence goes with us always.”
Proverbs 3:5-6:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
SEARCHING ❤ thank you! ❤
KIM – Praying for you and your mom!
My son was a big Tarheels fan. College basketball for those of you who are wondring. But he had the idea of certain things affecting the game. I used to laugh at this. But in reality, do I have such routines?? I’m not sure. I don’t believe that I do at this time of my life. My faith is stronger and I have much more understanding of our wonderful, faithful God. If He says He’s going to do it, He will.
What a contrast between the one who believes what God says, and the ones who don’t! Caleb said – “We should go up, we can do this!” The others didn’t want to go. They said, “They’re stronger and bigger than us!” (bigger & stronger than their God??)
I found a map (I’ll post on FB) that shows the journey and how they really were surrounded by their enemies – on literally, every side! So I get why they feared, but it happened when they took their eyes off of God. Just like Peter when he was walking on the water, when he took his eyes off of Jesus and looked around at the waves, he panicked and began to sink.
Two verses come to mind – Hebrews 12:2 – “Fix your eyes on Jesus” and Zechariah 4:6 – “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit…”
We will do well if we fix our eyes on Jesus and remember that it is God who is my strength and He who fights my battles.
Remembering you all in prayer!
Have a blessed Friday!
Numbers 13:28 – “Nevertheless…”
-However
-Yet
-Still
-Despite all that…
I’m not sure what else God could do for the Israelites to show He was good and faithful and true. The response of the 10 spies with “however” is the epitome of man’s ignorant pride that has been the recurring theme of all time. The spies acknowledged that what God had said about the Promised Land was true, NEVERTHELESS they chose fear.
As do I, routinely. As do we all…
How much more does God have to do for me to show his BEAUTY, GOODNESS, and TRUTH? The only “DESPITE ALL THAT” that needs applying should only be applied to my complete unworthiness of His gift, His faithful devotion to pursuing me, and adoption into His family.
God, help my heart to put away thoughts of “NEVERTHELESS” and to be a vessel of courageous faith in the simple truth that if YOU promise something it can be trusted wholeheartedly – even with no scouting or spying to see if it’s true.
At my church last weekend, my pastor shared that we need to place reminders of God being faithful. Just like the football analogy, we should have a notebook of promises fulfilled, or pictures (or written prayers)on the wall, anything that helps get us through
CALEB!!! I always love to read when his name comes up! AND we’ll read more in the next chapter as well. All that to say because my son’s name is Caleb. I am blessed to have an amazing son! OK…now back to the devo. In my human nature I too sometimes start to doubt, BUT then I “remember” my Jesus’ faithfulness and HOW HE always comes through. It may not be how I thought, but ONE thing I do keep in mind My daddy knows best! My reliance is on my Jesus alone EVEN when I don’t know what the outcome is going to be, I TRUST Him! Speaking of trust, I’m still praying and waiting what direction to go with trying to get a summer job as I only need it for July and two weeks in June. There’s more to this but running out of time but I keep in my God knows and people are praying. Happy FRIDAY sweet She’s!
Dear Mari, praying with you, for God to provide you with a summer job.
Commenting again so that I can see the comments… can they please look into this issue?
This has always been a struggle for me. I’m prone to try to do things myself, I definitely struggle with pride. This reading was such a a good reminder for me.
Are you clicking “comments” and then scrolling down? On the new layout, I can still see comments without commenting. You have to scroll down under the menu that allows you to comment.
I’m using the computer and once I click to reply and post, I have to go back in to continue to read comments. It makes me hesitate to comment until the end as it is frustrating.
Did you notice that the land flowing with milk and honey was also filled with the enemy? There has to be a lesson in that! I think that in order to receive God’s blessings we have to overcome the enemy. What blessings does God have for me that I don’t have yet because I’m refusing to fight the enemy to win? If I remain faithful to trust in God and to fight the battles against my enemies, I believe there will be many blessings on the other side. I have to stand faithful, but I also have to be willing to get in the ring with the enemy and fight to win the battles that are in front of me. We will always have an enemy coming after us, so we must learn to fight with the Word, with God’s Power, with strategy and wisdom from Holy Spirit. We cannot turn a blind eye and think we aren’t in a battle. O, Father. I so want all the blessings You have for me. Help me to fight the enemy who is trying to steal, kill and destroy me. With Your power I will be victorious!!
Woah – this was so good. Thank you for this encouragement. Sometimes I forget that I am in a battle and I keep trying to go it alone. I would be terrified to fight an enemy by myself, but with a very strong and powerful person, I would be much more willing to go to battle. I need to remember that I am fighting my current battle with THE strongest and MOST powerful person ever. And just like David, I can slay this Goliath with God’s power and strength going before me and with me.
Hmmm… interesting, and I need to do more research. Had you noticed the two that said, “Let’s do it!” were Caleb from the tribe of Judah and also Joshua? Well, of course we know Caleb and Joshua, but Jesus is often called the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and Joshua is a name for Jesus (two different languages)… so hmmm… I might be making a connection that isn’t really a connection, but I don’t know.
Have a blessed day today, sweet sisters and friends!
P.S. Has anyone tried any new emojis since the website update? I am gonna try two I use a lot…
Nope… they didn’t work. Winky emoji and wackadoodle/crazy face (with googly eyes and tongue sticking out).
Love the football analogy here! I wore a UGA sweatshirt every week since I got it. 29 straight wins and I thought it was a sure thing! It’s so good to trust in the Lord vs our own strength, understanding, and things.
Hello Shes! I rarely comment on here, but I enjoy reading everyone’s comments daily. They help me have a deeper understanding of what I have just read, so thank you for that. I’m in need of prayers for my mom. She has a hematology appointment today to figure out why her platelets are so low. She is ultimately worried about a cancer diagnosis coming out of all of this. While she is a believer in Jesus, she doesn’t have a consistent relationship with him. She tends to rely on her own devices to get by and her perspective can be easily muddied by circumstances that are out of her control. I think we all can struggle with this, but her faith is definitely shaky. Help me help her stay positive and grounded in the Lord! Thank you.
Hi Kim. I rarely comment either but reap so much wisdom here. I just want you to know I’ll be lifting your mom (and you) up in prayer today.
Praying, Kim, for you and your mother as you walk with her through this scary time. Asking Jesus to “make your path straight”, and “whisper in your ear, This is the way, walk in it”…. so thankful for your loving concern for your mother… she is Blessed to have you as her daughter, “holding up her arms”!
Praying Kim, that your mom will find her strength in God, and that he will give her peace through it all.
Praying
Dear Kim, praying for good results and restoration of your mom’s relationship with Jesus.
I think I’ve mentioned it before in the comment section, but I’m amazing at surrendering to the Lord! And then picking up my burden about 10 seconds later when I haven’t seen the result fast enough or up to my standards. Ugh. It’s soooooo difficult. Lord, keep my heart aligned with Yours. Keep my faith and trust from wandering.
You make my paths straight Father God. My faith is in You and Your plan. Holy Spirit guide and comfort me. Jesus I need Your peace that passes all understanding. In Jesus name, Amen
Amen, Aimee ❤️
They are like giants and we are like grasshoppers. What a mentality. Renewing this mindset will change everything. And God is able, but can we believe? It took me a while to realize faith is knowing, faith is the mindset but also it is living out the very substance of the thing hoped for. It is not chance, but it is knowing. May the grace be sufficient for us to know and understand how mighty the One who is in us compared to the one in the world. I miss you shes. Thank you for your prayers over my brother. I am praying over my heart, that even if things don’t change, it’s me that needs changing. Be blessed dear sisters ❤️.
Praying with you, Mercy, for God to change your circumstances or change your heart❤️
Numbers 13: 30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.”
31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.”
— Do we trust Him and His strength as Caleb did (and Joshua), and listen to/follow Him as He leads and guides us? Or do we join with the naysayers who fight against the wisdom and plans of the Almighty God?
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SHARON JERSEY GIRL – yes, I am very thankful and in full support of SRT and their IT dept. I tried other online devotions for several years, and have been with SRT since my niece suggested it 7 years ago. Love the camaraderie (warm feelings of friendship, closeness and loyalty shared among a group of people or a team of people as described at grammarist dot com) with my sisters here ❤️.
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CEE GEE & CHERYL BLOW – praying for healing
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HEATHER – “zoom” to enlarge font, oh my stars. I have been trying to enlarge the window itself … trying eyeroll emoji . Zooming now. Thank you for reminding me of a trick I already knew.
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CEE GEE-IT ❤️ thank you for the reply/ cancel hack!!
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TRACI GENDRON – I laughed at your comment yesterday about the grocery store and leader H. “My” store reconfigured about 20 years ago and it took me probably a couple of years to get used to it :) And same with my dear husband. I might have reminded him a time or 2 that I’m not on his payroll, or maybe even ‘you’re not the boss of me’, oops.
I’m glad I could give you a chuckle!! lol
❤️
Help me to always rely on You and Your power and strength to lead, to guide, and accomplish all You have for me. I’ll cooperate, You lead! Thank You God!!
A familiar story today that shows me again how easily we can forget who God is. After over a year of being out of Egypt by God’s mighty hand and daily being fed manna the 10 spies did not trust God to fulfill His promises
TAYLOR G – praying your son is feeling better
C – any word on the part-time job?
“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Phil 4:13
That’s the verse that came to mind upon finishing this today. I certainly wouldn’t want to traverse through this life on my own strength. I’ve tried. It’s no fun. It causes me to feel defeated like the scouts felt. But when I put my trust in God and His strength, I surely can do all that He wants me to do. Amen.
Blessed Friday to all of you. Keeping you and your requests in prayer. ❤️
Amen, Tricia. By His strength! Do you already have your exam results?
Matthew 8: 23-27 | “He spoke to the men first, for they were the most difficult to deal with; wind and sea could be rebuked afterwards.” (Spurgeon)
–
Deuteronomy 1:20-25 suggests that the idea of a scout came from the people. But God, in His grace and mercy, still directed them and used the report of the spies to test (40 days is a period often associated with testing!) their faith. Although they did recognize the faithfulness of God’s promise (Exodus 3:8, Exodus 3:17), they were afraid…. With their own eyes they saw the land of milk and honey, just as God promised, HOWEVER (v. 28)….The fear creeps in…
–
The comparison of people leads to either discouragement (they are better/bigger /stronger than me) or pride (I am better/bigger/stronger than the rest). But, as Caleb and Joshua showed, the real cuestion is:
Do I compare myself with the giants or do I compare the giants with my God?
—————————————
Dear Father,
You are faithfully fulfilling Your promises to us, providing us with milk and honey, even though we don’t deserve it. Because we are afraid. Because we think we are in control. Because we think we have to rely on our own strength.
BUT GOD! Thank You for Your patience with us. We can trust You. And when we trust You, there is little room left for fear.
May we trust You and remember Your promises. May we compare the giants (whether persons or circumstances) of our life with You. May we rely on Your power for bringing the True Victory, —which You already did, in Your son Jesus Christ.
In His name we pray,
AMEN.
Amen
Thank you for these insights
Amen!
My comparison… Do I compare myself with the giants or do I compare the giants with my God?
So. Good.
“Do I compare myself with the giants or do I compare the giants with my God?” Great question to ponder Julia C.!
Oops forgot to mention my source. It’s based on this passage from the Enduring Word Commentary on Numbers 13:
“F.B. Meyer compared the perspective of the ten unbelieving spies to that of the two faithful spies, Caleb and Joshua: “They saw the same spectacles in their survey of the land; but the result in the one case was panic, in the other confidence and peace. What made the difference? It lay in this, that the ten spies compared themselves with the giants, whilst the two compared the giants with God.””
Blessings to all of you!
Thank goodness for Pinterest! The ideas and the how to pages sure help me some.. I mean I have no idea of how to make changes to a house, or redecorating. I am always impressed by the before and after of people’s homes! Put me in a place and ask me to make changes, my thing would be cushions, cushions and more cushions!!
I’m feeling it for the scouting team..
Milk and honey, nowhere in sight..
Seriously though I guess it is easier for me to believe in and trust God, in this 21st century.. I have been blessed beyond, beyond through the pages of His Word and the heart knowledge of who God the Father is, the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, and the gift of the forever with me, Holy Spirit. I have, I guess, a bigger picture of Our God, than the Israelites because of the times I live in, they, the Israelites, were just beginning, much earlier days than these..
This song by Nathaniel Bassey, featuring Chandler Moore, comes to mind as I write.. Olorun Agbaye (You are mighty) The words I kept hearing though, were ” ..If you have said it, then you will do it..”
He sure is Mighty.
You are Good, you are kind
You are more than these
I’m lost for Words trying to describe you
Elohim, El-elyon, Aleselewi
Your Greatness is all I see
There is nothing you cannot do
There’s no mountain you cannot move
If you have said it
Then you will do it
Cause You have a Track record
Of keeping Words
And you’re not about
To stop doing it now…
As an extra as I read the lyrics, Shebi iwo lo foju orun s’aso bora.. translates to..
You are the one who is wrapped with clouds..
I thought that was so good, especially as we had talked about God leading His people as a pillar of cloud by day..
I am not perfect, by any stretch of the word..
BUT GOD..
It is in holding His hand each day, reading His Word, and hearing His promises that my life is not generally a disappointment.. He is, as for me as He was for the people of Israel, He has never changed, the times and stories have..
I do believe, If He has said it, THEN He will do it!
AMEN.
A little ramble there, just my thoughts wrapped in a happy song of how Mighty He is.
Happy Friday Shes, covered in love, hugs and continued prayers for all, requested or otherwise most especially the TECHNICAL TEAM..
I am here, God is good..♀️❤️
❤️
Elohim, El-elyon, Aleselewi
Your Greatness is all I see
There is nothing you cannot do
There’s no mountain you cannot move
If you have said it
Then you will do it
Amen!
—
He WILL do it, do I have faith to believe Him?!
Oh, Tina, I love your comment “It is in holding His hand each day, reading His Word, and hearing His promises that my life is not generally a disappointment.” That resonates with me. love it!
Love your ♥️Tina… feel free to “ramble”!
Keep on rambling, Tina. May we grab His hand every day and hold on to Him!