head forward
Contents
Numbers 13:21-33 "Go forward"
The story of 12 men returning from spying on the promised land of Canaan, which God had promised, is a very famous story. However, the 10 people made a negative report, which disappointed the Israelites. But Joshua and Caleb both spoke boldly. “Let us go up immediately and take the land. I am able to overcome it."" Then God said that only Joshua and Caleb would enter the Promised Land.
Two million Israelites came out, but only two Joshua and Caleb could enter the land of Canaan. That's one in a million people. He is a special person. Both were able to see what others could not. What did you see?
1. I saw a dream.
What made you say the opposite? It was nothing but a dream difference. Ten had no dreams. It was one of the two. It was either going back to Egypt and living as a slave or living in the wilderness. What dreams do slaves have? What dreams do you have in the wilderness? But the Canaanites living in the land of Canaan are strong people. The war seemed to be lost. That was scary. So I ask you not to go. I can't live an adventurous life because I'm afraid. Because they are afraid, they cannot completely entrust their life to the invisible God. It was Egypt, a place of sorrow and suffering.
These ten and the other two had a dream. The purpose of going to Canaan was clear. It was a land flowing with milk and honey. It was a land that would form a new nation. It was the land where the Messiah would come. Moreover, the clear dream was a dream given to their father Abraham (Genesis 15:12-16). The prophecy given to Abram before he became Abraham was fulfilled.
① I became a foreigner. ② It was released after 400 years. ③ He punished Egypt, which was tormenting Israel. ④ He came out with great wealth. ⑤ Abram returned to his ancestors in peace and was buried. Then, there is only one prophecy remaining, the word 'I will return to this land'.
Five things have been done and one thing not done, can't you believe that one thing? So the two had a dream that they could go to that land. A person with a dream can move toward it.
2. I saw God's walk.
When Joshua and Caleb heard the report of the 10 men, they cried out to the weeping and weeping people to return to Egypt. He didn't just shout, but he tore his clothes and spoke (Numbers 14:6-9). ""The Lord is with us." The reason these two could make such a confession was because they had faith wholly depend on God. Almighty God, what could you be afraid of when God, who has nothing to do, is with you? I knew and believed that God was always with me. Such a person can do anything. This is the story of Livingston when he left for a mission. Another missionary came and asked where we were going. Livingston answered. ""If you can move forward, you can go anywhere,"" Livingston has a reason to say. It was because they believed that God was with them. Such a person would be one in a million.
3. I saw the future.
The two spies did not see yesterday, but tomorrow. They didn't see Egypt, they saw Canaan. I didn't see the earth, I saw the sky. Even if all 2 million people died in the wilderness right now, they had to go to Canaan. Only then will God send the Messiah there and save mankind.
Even though it was hard today, we had to build tomorrow. However, if you listen to the words of the two and go to Canaan, the first generation will suffer, but their descendants will live in blessing. A future-oriented person who chooses a difficult tomorrow rather than a comfortable today. To be one in a million, you have to be forward-looking. Those who are afraid of change have no choice but to live a life of complacency and a life to return to. It is only when the future is beautiful that we can remember the past. A life with only regrets has no meaning. I bless you to see you in the air with joy after you run to serve the Lord diligently and wholeheartedly.
conclusion
God hears the voices of thanksgiving and joy, but also the voices of murmuring and murmuring. Under any circumstances, live as if hopeless expressions are forbidden for Christians. Looking to the future, we cannot be resentful. What was the voice of the Israelites' resentment? “I wish we had died in the land of Egypt or in the wilderness.” But God acted according to the words that came out of their mouths. That is why the words that come out of our mouths matter. God hears the words that come out of our mouths and acts on them. Therefore, if you want to receive blessings, live your life with words of thanks, not resentment.
You can look back and learn a lesson, but faith is not going back. Even after the Israelites left Egypt, if they encountered difficulties, they wanted to return to Egypt. The life of faith is only moving forward. Now we must move forward. When they heard the news of the ten spies, Joshua and Caleb tore their clothes and said, “Let us not rebel against the Lord, let us not be afraid of them! Let us go up and take possession of the land.” I hope you will have the same kind of faith.