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Claiming the Promises of God
We need to recognize the abundant life God gave us and claim it.
There they were — the Israelites, right on the cusp of entering the promised land (Joshua 1:1–6). They had seen God’s plagues on Egypt and miracles such as the parting of the Red Sea. Now the promised land was before them, ready for the taking.
God used Moses to tell His people it was time to be courageous and claim His promises of a good land flowing with milk and honey. Instead of being excited at the prospect of taking the land, most of the spies saw obstacles and focused on them (Deuteronomy 1:6–8, 22–36). They looked at the giant people and fortified cities like Jericho.
The Israelites became discouraged and fearful. They complained that God hated them and was sending them to the promised land to be destroyed. A couple of spies took a different tack. They pointed out that God was with the Israelites and would help them take the land. They were visionaries.
The complainers were stuck. They refused to go and claim the land. They were consumed by fear and did not believe that God was with them. God was so angry at their lack of faith that He condemned the Israelites to wander in the wilderness until the rebellious generation had died out. Then, after forty years, The Israelites were finally ready to enter the promised land (book of Joshua).
