Has your spirit screamed, “Don’t go there?” The next two sentences pop out smooth as butter. Then your conversation turns a dangerous curve. Under pressure your restraint cracks. You pause, but complaints spew forth like a geyser!
The Israelites who explored Canaan can relate.
They desired to serve the Lord and were blessed with large clusters of grapes, pomegranates, and figs. The sweet fruit should have equaled a Dairy Queen Treat. However the juice soured in their mouths as their mind focused on fear. Their hidden dread surfaced as soon as they opened their mouth.
They gave Moses this account, “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful and the cities are fortified and very large.” Numbers 13:27-28 NIV
Their first two sentences are positive. However the third sentence slowly slides into Luke Sky Walker’s whiny voice. How can a farm boy defend against a large powerful fortress? Fear ripples with every word.
When my words slip into dangerous territory, the Holy Spirit pokes. But will I stop speaking?
Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land for we can certainly do it.” Numbers 13:30 NIV
His mighty voice expected thunderous applause, but the crowd fell silent.
Instead they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there. We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.” Numbers 13:32-33 NIV
Like a pilot ejects from a crashing plane, they needed to disengage.
The Lord intended the Israelites to live in Canaan, but their anxiety delayed his promise. Every spoken fear, complaint, or worry works against us.
If doubt bubbles up, fortify your mind.
Speak Caleb’s words, “for we can certainly do it.”
When you fear being devoured, BELIEVE. The Lord certainly can do it!
If your mouth complains about life’s mountains, stop.
Remember mountain sized obstacles are mere grasshoppers to God.
Family Extensions for children 6-10 years
READ: Numbers 13:1-2, 21-31, and 14: 20-25.
VIEW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YulcL4Y3Q8I
ACTIVITY: Practice overcoming fear by biting into a new food you’ve never tasted before.
Remember how Caleb cut grape clusters, pomegranates, and figs.
Speak honestly about how the new food tastes. Will your report be good or bad?
PRAYER: Lord, help us to show our trust in you by speaking positively. Overcome our fear by reminding us that you are with us. Thank you for being pleased when we follow you wholeheartedly.
Abide in Christ's Love 
Love this April! The pic is perfect, and a great read! I especially love the added bonus of Family Extensions. I’ll share this with my grandsons 🙂
Thanks Doris, You will have to let me know what food he picks to try. My boys loved that challenge when they were little. They didn’t have Lego bible stories back then, but I liked it!