When they returned, they reported to Moses, Aaron, and the children of Israel. 10 of the spies told one story and the other two had a different idea. All 12 reported walls around the city, milk and honey in abundance, and large fruit. However, there was a difference in their perception of the people that were currently dwelling there. The 2 said that they had what they needed to “overcome” the people. However, the 10 reported that they were great in stature. They called the people giants, and then compared themselves to grasshoppers. After a night of crying and murmuring, the 10 convince the people to not confront the people in the Promised Land.
Then comes my favorite part of this story. The Lord goes to Moses and asks how long until the children of Israel believe me. Not believe IN me, but believe me. I am sure they believed in God. They had seen the miracles before they were free, including the parting of the Red Sea. Those miracles are hard to deny. However, the Lord asks, how long until they believe me. I wonder if he asks us the same question. We fret with the challenges we are asked to face. Does He ask himself how long until we believe Him. How often do we get in our own way and render ourselves spiritually paralyzed in our situations?
Are we believers? I found an amazing song by Calee Reed that portrays my thoughts on this subject.
Believer
Help me to be the believer that I want to be
Want the things you want for me
When I’m lost along the way
Help me find patience in the moments
When it’s hard to see
Your hand guiding me
Help me get out of my own way
O Lord, help me believe
Help me to be the believer that I want to be
Feel the things you feel for me
When the feeling doesn’t stay
Help me to see the things I don’t want to see
As your hand showing me
Help me Lord, I pray
Oh Lord
Help me believe
Give place to the voice that always questions
Give voice to the pain, the fear, the doubt
Give way to the moments I am faithless
I can’t let you I
If I shut them out
Help me to be the believer that I want to be
Give the things You’ve given me
The words You’d have me say
Help me to walk this path
That You’ve set for me
Help me walk with steady feet
Help me get out of my own way
Oh Lord
Help me believe
Help me to be the believer that I want to be
Want the things you want for me
When I’m lost along the way
Help me find patience in the moments
When it’s hard to see
Your hand guiding me
Help me get out of my own way
Oh Lord
Oh Lord
Help me believe
What do you need to do to become the Believer that would follow the two? An interesting fact - the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness until the 10 spies that were wrong died. They never had the chance to enter the Promised Land. Can we believe?
