TITLE: Overcoming the Grasshopper Complex, Looking Back
TEXT: Various, Philippians 3:12-13
P.S.
INTRODUCTION:
I think that it is fair to say that the Christian life is not a cake walk, it is a long distance marathon. The goal for every believer is to finish the race that God has marked out for us. It is God’s plan that we finish well, finish strong, and finish victoriously.
The tragedy is when runners fail to complete the race, either due to fatigue or by failing to follow the rules and take short cuts, thus disqualifying them from the prize.
IN recent days I have been made aware of friends who have fallen short of the finish line and have been divereted due to choosing to take short cuts and stopping serving Jesus all together. When this happens not only does it leave a black mark on the testimony of believers, but it breaks the heart of God as well.
While we were at camp, the evening speaker, Alton Garrison read a quote from the book “Un-christan.” It is a summary of a survey that was conducted to determine if there is any difference in the lifestyles between Christian followers and the non-Christian world. I warn you, that the results concluded that there essentially is no difference in the conduct and lifestyle of evangelical Christians and non-believers.
Here is the survey,
19% BA watch MTV, the music channel/ 24% non believers
24% of believers were divorced/ 23% non believers
23% of believers bought a lottery ticket in the last week/ 27% non christians
24% of believers Have given money to a homeless person/ 34% non believers
3% of believers filed a law suit against someone in the last year/ 4 % non believers
76% watched pg-13 or r rated movie in the last week/ 87% non believers
35% of believers say to get ahead sometimes you have to cut the corners!
These are born again professing believers in Jesus Christ! How can this be you might ask? They have fallen shport of the finish line. They have chosen to stop short in their race, and not move forward.
For many Christians, they fall short of their God given challenge for fear that they do not have the sufficient strength or resources to succeed. This fear is what we have termed as the “GRASSHOPPER COMPLEX” It is a fear which paralyzes believers in their walk of faith.
However, we need to be reminded that, as followers of Jesus we have been given everything we need to run the race marked out for us and to overcome any obstacle the Enemy places in our way.
According to Joshua chapter 1, We have been given God’s eternal promise to guide us,
“I will give you every place where you set your foot”( v.3) God’s promises are our assurance that victory is possible. Furthermore,
We have His daily provision to sustain us, ‘BE strong and courageous…do not let this book of the law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful”(8-10) And finally,
We have God’s abiding presence to encourage us. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
In other words, we have all the resources at our disposal to be successful and victrious in our walk of faith. In fact, the Bible says, God…has blessed us I the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. ( Eph.1:3)
So NO Christian is barred from his or her ‘promised land. We have the assurance from God’s word that
3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. ( 2 Peter 1:3)
So the question then becomes, ‘How do I tap into these resources?
As we again look into the life of Joshua we find an example of a person whose testimony was one of conquering and advancing in the faith. His life of obedience reminds us that when God’s word is tested, HE is found faithful ( Lutzer p.33)
If it were possible to sit down with Joshua and have an exclusive interview with him, what would be some of the questions you might want to ask? Well, to start, I would want to ask, ‘Joshua ,How did you do it? How do we apply the promises so that we can get out of our rut? How do we overcome the grasshopper complex?
The challenge for us is not to believe the promises of God, but it is to apply them to our everyday lives, isn’t it?
The answer in a word, is ATTITUDE! It has been said that the attitude a person has toward life will determine the outcome of their life.
I think the secret of Joshua’s victorious life was a winning attitude. The word retreat was not in his vocabulary. He had developed the heart of a champion. Every believer can experience victory in their lives. But victory will rise or fall with attitude.
How is the attitude of a victor developed? To start, it begins by choosing to
1. SEE GOD AS BIGGER THAN OUR CHALLENGES.
Twelve spies had gone into the land of Canaan to determine the strategy needed to conquer this promised land. Ten were intimidated by the challenge, believeing that the Canaanites were too well situated, fortified and armed to be uprooted.
Specically, the majority said, “"We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are."( Numbers 13:31) They gave a bad report causing thousands who heard their account tremble in fear.
Two of the leaders, Caleb and Joshua, courageously spoke up and declared, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it." (Numbers 13:30)
Saddly, the majority report prevailed, (14:1-4)
That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. 2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, "If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! 3 Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?" 4 And they said to each other, "We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt."
The ten spies had convincingly exaggerated the difficulty of obeying God. (Numbers 13:32-33)
32 And 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. 33 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them."
So the Canaanites were better armed, better fortified and they were HUGE!!!! Looked at another way it made sense for Isreal to choose the majority report. Everything seemed stacked against them. The one factor which should have significantly altered the equation was the fact that GOD WAS ON THEIR SIDE!!!!!!!
The Lord had given them a specific promise that if they would believe Him for victory, they would achieve it!
The Bible declares, If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:28-31
Notice that the ten spies saw themselves as grasshoppers and the Canaanites as giants “IT IS EASIER TO SEE GIANTS THAN IT IS TO SEE GOD!
Says Erwin Lutzer, ‘We adopt the grasshopper complex whenever we turn from a God given challenge for fear that we lack the resources to tackle it, or when we try to avoid facing a problem that is hindering our spiritual progress.( p.13)
The ten spies had a bad case of the grasshopper complex and the virus spread through the whole multitude. Moses wanted a simple report of the good land. What he got was a destructive attitude of fear.
How tragic. How sad. How sobering a picture of a demoralized people. Our road to victory begins with choosing an attitude that SEES God bigger than any challenge the enemy can place in our path.
The longer we look at God the smaller our obstacles become. The longer we look at the obstacles the smaller God becomes. The question is whether we want a big God or a big enemy. It’s a matter of perspective.
This little poem so tenderly describes the choice we need to make,
Doubt sees the obstacles
Faith sees the way
Doubt sees the darksome night
Faith sees the day
Doubt dreads to take the step
Faith soars on high
Doubt whispers, who believes?
Faith answers, I
Well, we all know the sad result of their tragic choice. Fear swept the Israelite camp resulting in a call to hang Moses, Joshua and Caleb, vote for a new leader and return to Egypt. However, what the Israelites failed to realize is that God’s will was for them to posess the promised land. That call was irrevocable. Nevertheless, their rebellion and choice would have dire consequences.
The People would possess the land, but only after a period of 40 years wandering in the wilderness. Then a new generation would take the lead. All those over 20, except for Caleb and Joshua, would be left to die in the desert.
When that period of testing and preparation was complete, Joshua again found himself at the edge of destiny. This time, he was 40 years older. Moses was dead. The people were waiting for their next instruction. The enemy was poised for battle.
If the first key to developing a victors attitude is our vision, then the next truth is
2. LISTENING TO THE RIGHT VOICE
Joshua knew that the voice he listened to would determine the direction he would walk. If he listened to his emotions, then he might be content to stay in the desert. If he could hear the whispers of the Canaanites, he would be intimidated. If he heard the criticism of the ISrealites he would be distracted.
Only if he heard the voice of God would he have the courage to do what seemed impossible.
While Joshua ponders his future and the present situation, the Lord draws his attention to the mission to which he is called. Joshua’s job description was clear;
1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2 "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites.(Josh.2:1-2)
Joshua had to motivate the people to action. The nation had lived in relative peace and security for 40 years. There were no serious enemies in the desert. But now all that would change…war was inevitable!
But war was not all he had to prepare them for. Recall, that the people did not have to work hard in the desert. They had not planted a crop or watered a single garden. They did not have to pull weeds or build walls. God had provided all their needs by sending manna every morning. They had become accustomed to a comfortable lifestyle.
The bible encourages us to be content in all situations. However, contentment can also be destructive. We can become content with mediocrity, content with failure and even content with sin. The Israelites had become content with the easy path.
Question # 2 They needed an injection of courage. What would shake the nation out of it’s sleep and awaken it to the possibility of victory? Where would the assurances of courage and guidance come from? How was Joshua to dissipate misdirected fear?
The key is found in God’s command to Joshua;
6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.
Only when Joshua was singularly focused on God’s word could he ever hope to lead to people to victory. Consider the three commands God gives to Joshua;
a.Get Up: Face the enemy 2 ...Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them.
b. Walk: Fight the enemy 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.
c. Stand: Crush the enemy 5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
The decision to cross the river was like jumping into the ring with a boxer who has been impatiently waiting to pin you to the floor. Once you have crossed the ropes the battle is inevitable.
Similarly, we must make the decision to confront the challenges that stand between us and our spiritual progress. We cannot avoid the enemy and expect him to go away. We must take the risk of confrontation.
Question # 3 This brings us to our final question for Joshua this morning. How strong is the enemy? And what is his attitude toward us?
Another essential step in developing a winning strategy is
3. KNOWING YOUR ENEMY
Joshua was commanded to conquer the land. Every place where the Israelites would walk eventually became theirs. But the walk was not a leisurely stroll. They had to fight for every square inch.
Yes, God said that the land would be theirs, but they would have to carefully plan a strategy to crush the enemy. Their faith was not to be blind.
So Joshua sent two spies to gather intelligence for the coming assault on Jericho. He needed to evaluate Jericho’s will to fight, and how prepared it was for a siege. His command was terse, ‘"Go, look over the land," he said, "especially Jericho."
Yes, God was with Joshua, but he still needed to know his enemy.
Today our enemy is Satan. And as the Israelites’ spied out Jericho, we are not to be ‘ignorant of his schemes.’ ( 2 Cor.2:11)
What information did the spies gather on this fact finding mission?
a. The enemy is ready for warfare
So they went and entered the house of a prostitute [a] named Rahab and stayed there. 2 The king of Jericho was told, "Look! Some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land." 3 So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: "Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land."
The king of Jericho was evidently terrified of Isreal, and he was not about to work out a peace settlement. Though he must have realized that his eventual doom was inevitable, he was prepared to fight to the death. When the people of God appeared for war, the enemy became angry and defensive.
The spies discovered that though the enemy may live in considerable calm, the moment preparations are made for battle, he jumps to the challenge.
In 1 Peter 5, we are exorted to
8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
The two spies understood that even enemies who know they will be defeated do all the damage they can do to intimidate their opponents. When God’s people plan an attack, the enemy responds angily, forcefully, and solidly.
b. The enemy is afraid.
The information the spies gather was startling but exactly what they had hoped to hear. Two points of are particular interest:
The Canaanites knew the rightful owners of the land.
8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof 9 and said to them, "I know that the LORD has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you.
The Canaanites knew they were living on land that was not theirs. The fact that they had occupied it for centuries made little difference to God who had made the decisions as to what belonged to whom. They were squatters, fearing eviction.
The analogy is clear. Satan knows what God has given to His people. He knows that we \\’we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ.’( Eph.1:13). Satans biggest fear is that we will actually cash in on our inheritance and live like Kings kids.
What caused Jerichos fear? A rumor had reached the people of how God had led the ISrealites across the Red Sea.
10 We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea [b] for you when you came out of Egypt, and….
The Isrealites were redeemed from Egypt because of the blood of a lamb that was sprinkled on their door posts. This shielded them from the judgement of death which fell upon every Egyptian household that was not covered by the blood. Their slavery in Egypt had ended and they crossed the Red Sea looing toward their Promised Land.
The People of Jericho looked to the past and knew there was nothing they could do to win a war against a God who was able to redeem a whole nation.
Satan looks back to Calvary; he sees a cross of 2000 years ago and melts in terror, for he knows his defeat is absolutely certain. HE is painfully aware that those who have trusted in Christ and are his followers, cannot be defeated.
Secondly, The Canaanites knew God’s power. Rahab goes on to recount what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed.
Satan does not want us to know that he is afraid. HE is smart enough to know that even his victories are actually efeats. HE becomes impotent when approached with faith and the assurance that he is doomed, The final message of encouragement came with the news
c. the enemy is defeated.
11 When we heard of it, Rahab reported, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.
Joshua did not know yet how God was going to give Jericho over to Israel. For now it was enough for him to learn that the occupants of the city were living in fear. The God who had filled them with fear would eventually bring the city to ruin as witness to His power and justice.
As the people hid behind their meager fortified walls, Satan likewise tries to hide behind ‘walls.’ He would prefer that we think we are fighting psychological battle rather than a spiritual one.
We need to be reminded that,
3For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.( 2 Cor.10:3-4)
There is no wall that Satan can hide behind that will not fall to the authority of Christ that is resident in every believer.
Paul reminds us in Col. 2:15 that Christ has forever routed Satan,
15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
CONCLUSION:
Do you see what this means? It means we’d better get on with moving forward in our faith. God is calling us forward towards His promise and never quit!
Moreover HE has given us all that we need to succeed and win the race. We have the promise of His word to guide us. We enjoy the provision of His Spirit to sustain us. And the eternal presence of His Spirit to encourage us. How can we possible fail?
The line of victory is in our hands. What will we choose? Will we see God who is bigger than the giants, or succumb the intimidating size of the giants more than God.
Whose voice will you listen too? Will it be the voice of self telling you, it is impossible? The voice of the enemy saying, I will not be moved? Will it be the voice of your friends begging you not to get involved? Or will you turn your attention to the voice of God egging you on to victory.
WHAT DOES IT MATTER WHAT I DO? If staying in the desert is mpre comfortable, then why risk battle against the enemy?
It matters to God.
Joshua 1:2, the Lord gave his clear commission to Joshua, “Now then, you and all this people get ready to cross the Jordon river into the Land I AM ABOUT TO GIVE THEM….
It is God’s assured promise and command to us that He alone is able to fulfill and secure. God wants to see you live in the enjoyment of His promise.
Jesus said to the crowds, “I am come that you and life and have it to the full…Come to me and drink and out of your inmost being shall FLOW RIVERS OF LIVING WATER.”
It matters to the church….
Notice that Joshua’s commission was not to him alone but for the entire body. “Now then, YOU AND ALL THIS PEOPLE get ready to cross the Jordon”
You are never alone in your walk of faith. In fact, what you choose will affect those around you. We are running together to the finish line. In Hebrews 12:1-2 describes how we are in a race, not competing against one another, but running with each other towards the same goal,
Therefore, since WE are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses (The witnesses are men and women who have successfully ran the race of faith and are now cheering us on from heaven) let US throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, let US run with perseverance the race marked out for US. Let US fix OUR eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of OUR faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and is not seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
In other words, Jesus has already marked out the race for us, and has guaranteed that we will win if we persevere. It is for this reason, the writer of Hebrews gives this somber warning,
It matters to the lost.
Listen agin to Rahabs declaration to the spies,’I klnow the Lord has given this land to you…For the Lord your God is God in heaven and on the earth below..Then she makes this astounding confession, “WE have heard…”
Just as the Canaanites tembled in fear from the knowledge that God was greater than anything they had known, the lost today I believe are waiting to hear how great God is in you’re your life and in mine. They simply want to know that the same God who rescued you and I can save them!
Hebrews 4:7-11
7Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before:
"Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts."[a] 8For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. 11Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.
