Looking At The Impossible

The story we're going to read from the Bible today has exciting parts in it, there are spies, there are giants in this story. But sadly, in this story we're going to see how something that could have been so incredible for God’s people turned out to be something very tragic because of their response & mistakes they made not doing what God told them.

Background: Before we read our Scripture, I want to give you a little background of what's happening here. Israel left Egypt after all the 10 great plagues that God put on Egypt, and Moses took God’s people out of Egypt. The Bible doesn't tell us exactly, but it was probably early in their 2nd year after leaving Egypt that the children of Israel arrived at Kadesh Barnea, the border of Canaan, the land that God had promised to give them. So Moses sends out the 12 spies to check on the land, and to check to see what it was like, and who was living there. That's where we pick up our story.

Scripture: Turn with me in your Bibles to Numbers 13:25-33 #2 SLIDE

So, if you know the rest of the story about the Children of Israel and what happens next. Because they disobeyed God and didn't go into the Promised Land like He told them to, they were forced to wander for 40 years in the wilderness! Until all the men that were above the age of 20 had passed off the scene. Only Joshua and Caleb, the two that remained faithful to God, would live to go into the Promised Land after the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.

The first mistake they made was they…

I. Failed To Seek The Lord’s Leading #4 SLIDE

Psalm 106:13 #5 SLIDE Says… “They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:”

No, I'm not saying that Moses was a bad leader. In fact, he was a very good leader and a very godly man. However, in this instance regarding going and searching the land with the spies nowhere does the Bible say that they sought counsel of Lord or His leading first.

Now because the Bible doesn't say for sure we can't know if Moses prayed and sought God or not. But the bottom line is it turned out very badly. Sending these 12 men resulted in 10 of them doubting God

B. Either way, the message and the truth for you and I to learn from this today is

seek the Lord's leading when you have a problem, or a decision to make.

The Bible says in Proverbs 2:1-6 #6 SLIDE “My son, if thou wilt receive my

words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear

unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after

knowledge, And liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as

silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand

the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth

wisdom: Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”

If you have a problem at home or at school, or in your neighborhood or

anywhere, pray to God about it! Seek Him, ask Him for help, ask Him for what

you need or what you're struggling with.

He's always on call, He's always available waiting for us just to cry out to Him and seek His help and strength and His wisdom!

I once had a teacher that said Jeremiah 33:3 is God's phone number. It v says Quote: #7 SLIDE

And remember God does want to hear from you when you have a need, or when you have a problem, you can't solve. But he also wants to hear from you every day! Everyday #8 SLIDE we should be seeking God's leading in our life regardless of our circumstances.

They didn’t seek the Lord’s leadings, & the 2nd mistake the Isrealites made was they…

II. Didn't Trust The Promise Of God #9 SLIDE

In Exodus 33:1 God it already told Moses and the people he would give him the land. It says…#10 SLIDE “And the Lord said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it:”

We're not going to take the time to read it, but in the very next verse God tells Moses and the children of Israel exactly who the people are that are already in the land that he is given them. He named all of them!

But He had also promised them that he would give them the victory, and He said He would give them the land & fight for them, they had no reason to fear or doubt, they had a promise from God Himself!