Introduction

Welcome, beloved friends, to this sacred space where we gather, not as mere spectators but as active participants in the grand tapestry of God's design. We are here to seek wisdom, to find comfort, and to be emboldened in our faith. We are here to embrace the living Word that God has so graciously given us, as a compass to our souls and a lamp unto our feet.

Today, we find ourselves standing at the foot of a profound passage of Scripture, Numbers 13:33. The Word of God says, "And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight."

This passage, my friends, is a mirror to our own lives. How often do we see ourselves as grasshoppers, small and insignificant, in the face of life's giants? How often do we forget the omnipotence of our God, who can make the impossible possible?

The renowned theologian, J.I. Packer, once wrote, "There's a difference between knowing God and knowing about God. When you truly know God, you have energy to serve Him, boldness to share Him, and contentment in Him." We are here today to truly know God, to understand His power, and to find contentment in Him.

Rejecting the Grasshopper Mentality

In the book of Numbers, we find the Israelites standing on the brink of the Promised Land. They had been delivered from the bondage of Egypt, led through the Red Sea, and sustained in the wilderness. Now, they were on the cusp of the land flowing with milk and honey that God had promised them. But instead of stepping forward in faith, they hesitated. Why? Because they saw giants in the land and considered themselves as grasshoppers in comparison.

Application. This is the mentality that we often adopt in our lives. We see the challenges, the obstacles, the 'giants' in our lives and we feel small, insignificant, and incapable. We look at our own abilities, our own strength, and we feel like grasshoppers. But this is not how God sees us, and it's not how He wants us to see ourselves.

First, understand that our perception of ourselves matters. How we see ourselves affects how we behave, how we interact with others, and how we face challenges. If we see ourselves as grasshoppers, we will act like grasshoppers. We will shy away from challenges, we will feel overwhelmed by obstacles, and we will doubt our ability to make a difference.

This is how God sees us: as His beloved children, as heirs of His kingdom, as more than conquerors through Him who loved us, then we will act accordingly. We will face challenges with courage, we will overcome obstacles with faith, and we will make a difference in the world around us.

The second thing we need to understand is that our perception of God matters. If we see God as distant, uncaring, and powerless, then we will feel alone, unloved, and helpless. But if we see God as He truly is, as our loving Father, as our mighty Savior, as our ever-present help in times of need, then we will feel loved, cherished, and empowered.

Another is that our perception of our circumstances matters. If we see our circumstances as insurmountable, as hopeless, as giants, then we will feel defeated, discouraged, and despairing. But if we see our circumstances through the lens of God's promises, as opportunities for growth, as stepping stones to victory, then we will feel hopeful, encouraged, and triumphant.

The fourth thing we need to understand is that our perception of our future matters. If we see our future as uncertain, as bleak, as full of giants, then we will feel anxious, fearful, and pessimistic. But if we see our future as God sees it, as full of promise, as full of potential, as full of victory, then we will feel confident, courageous, and optimistic.

So, how do we change our perception? How do we reject the grasshopper mentality? We do it by renewing our minds with the Word of God. We do it by meditating on His promises. We do it by reminding ourselves of His faithfulness in the past. We do it by looking at our circumstances through the lens of faith, not fear. We do it by trusting in His ability, not our own. We do it by walking in obedience, not in doubt.

Recognizing God's Ability in Every Situation

As we continue to engage with the Word of God, we find ourselves standing at the crossroads of perception and reality ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO