Go! And See Yourself Through God's Eyes - Numbers 13:33
Numbers 13:33 (NLT): “We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!”
Introduction
Church, let me begin by asking a question that might hit home for many of us: Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought, “I’m not good enough”? Have you ever faced an opportunity—one that God placed in front of you—and allowed fear, self-doubt, and insecurity to whisper louder than the promises of God?
In Numbers 13:33, we find the Israelites standing on the edge of God’s promise. God had already said He was giving them the land of Canaan. But when the twelve spies went to explore the land, ten of them came back with a distorted perception. They said, “Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!” These words are not just descriptive—they are deeply prophetic of a problem that still haunts us today: spiritual inferiority and misplaced identity.
This sermon is titled: Go! And See Yourself Through God's Eyes.
Because too many believers are living like grasshoppers in their own eyes, when God has called them to live like giants in faith.
I. See Beyond the Giants – Know Who Sent You
Numbers 13:33 (NLT): “We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!”
The Hebrew word used here for “giants” is Nephilim (?????????), which conveys the idea of mighty warriors or those who fall upon others. These men were known for their size and strength—but notice what the Israelites say: “Next to them we felt like grasshoppers.”
The real issue was not the giants—it was how the Israelites viewed themselves.
Exodus 3:14 (NLT): “God replied to Moses, ‘I Am Who I Am. Say this to the people of Israel: I Am has sent me to you.’”
When Moses doubted, God didn’t build up Moses' self-esteem—He reminded him of who He is.
God was saying: “It’s not about who you are—it’s about who I am.”
Preacher and author Christine Caine said “Sometimes when you're in a dark place, you think you've been buried, but you've actually been planted. Grow!”
That is a powerful truth. So often, we mistake the darkness of our trials as the end of our story—when in fact, it’s the beginning of our transformation. A seed in the soil is hidden, not hopeless. It is surrounded by darkness, not abandoned by God. The soil may feel like a grave, but in God’s hands, it’s a garden!
You haven’t been buried—you’ve been planted. And what God plants, He waters. What He waters, He grows. And what He grows—He uses for His glory. So, don’t despair in the darkness. Lift your eyes to the Son, because your season of growth is on the way!
Imagine a child who’s afraid to go to school alone. But when a loving parent holds their hand, suddenly the fear melts away. The giants haven’t disappeared—but the presence of someone greater changes everything.
Church, if you only look at the giants in your life, you will feel small. But if you focus on the God who sends you, you’ll stand tall in His strength. Stop measuring your future by the size of your problem—measure it by the power of your God.
II. Reject the Grasshopper Identity – Embrace Kingdom Identity
Judges 6:12 (NLT): “The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!’”
Gideon was hiding in fear. But the angel didn’t say, “Hey coward, what are you doing?” He spoke to Gideon’s identity in God.
In Hebrew, the phrase gibbor chayil (???????? ?????) means “mighty man of valour.” God always calls us according to what He sees—not what we fear.
Romans 8:37 (NLT): “No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.”
Paul doesn’t say we might win. He says, we are more than conquerors—through Christ.
Louie Giglio said “God’s plans for you are better than your dreams for yourself. Your true identity is found in Him—not in your fear, not in your past.”
Giglio speaks truth that echoes the very heart of God’s Word. “God’s plans for you are better than your dreams for yourself.” Yes! Scripture reminds us in Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT), “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’”
You may have dreams, but God’s divine blueprint for your life is far greater than anything your human heart could imagine. And hear this: your true identity is not rooted in your fear or your past, but in Christ alone. Don’t live trapped by the echoes of yesterday—live anchored in the eternal truth of who God says you are today.
A £50 note that’s crumpled, stepped on, or stained doesn’t lose its value. And you, child of God, have not lost your worth because of past failures, battles, or fear.
Stop calling yourself what your past has labelled you. Stop agreeing with fear’s narrative. You are a child of the King. You are chosen, redeemed, called, and anointed.
III. Faith Sees the Promise, Not Just the Problem
Numbers 14:6–9 (NLT): “Two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore their clothing. They said to all the people of Israel, ‘The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land! And if the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us... Don’t be afraid of the people of the land... the Lord is with us!’”
Joshua and Caleb didn’t deny the existence of giants—they just had faith in a greater reality: God’s presence.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NLT): “For we live by believing and not by seeing.”
Faith walks forward even when sight says, “Turn back.”
Faith steps into the fire with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
Faith slings a stone at a giant with David.
Faith builds an ark before rain has ever fallen, like Noah.
Craig Groeschel said “What you fear the most reveals where you trust God the least.”
That’s a powerful and deeply convicting statement, let’s not gloss over that. It cuts to the heart, doesn’t it? Because if we’re honest, fear often exposes the cracks in our faith. The places where anxiety rises, where we hesitate to step out, where we cling to control—those are often the very areas where our trust in God hasn’t taken full root. Groeschel’s words challenge us to look at fear not as a weakness to hide, but as a diagnostic tool that reveals the corners of our hearts still in need of surrender.
When we fear for our finances, perhaps we’ve not fully trusted Jehovah Jireh—our Provider.
When we fear for our future, maybe we’ve not fully embraced the One who declares, “I know the plans I have for you.”
When we fear failure, we may be trusting more in our performance than in God’s grace.
So instead of letting fear paralyse us, let it drive us to deeper trust. Let every fear become an invitation—to draw nearer to the Father, to walk bolder in His promises, and to rest more fully in His unfailing love.
There’s a story of tightrope walker Charles Blondin who crossed Niagara Falls. He once carried a man on his back across the rope. Before he did it, he asked, “Do you believe I can do this?” The man said yes. Blondin replied, “Then get on.”
That’s faith. Saying yes is not enough—get on.
What giants are you facing today? Financial burdens? Health crises? A prodigal child? A call to ministry you feel unworthy of?
Don't let fear be louder than God’s Word. Step forward in faith, not because the road is easy, but because the God who walks with you is faithful.
The Gospel Message – Jesus Our Victor
Every battle in the Old Testament points forward to the ultimate victory we find in Christ. The greatest “giant” was sin and death—but Jesus conquered it.
Colossians 2:15 (NLT): “In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.”
The cross looked like defeat—but it was divine triumph.
Jesus, fully God and fully man, took the full weight of our sin. He died, was buried, and on the third day He rose in victory.
Because of Jesus, we are not grasshoppers—we are children of the resurrection!
Call to Action – Live from God’s Perspective
Go! And stop agreeing with the enemy’s lies.
Go! And renew your mind in God’s truth.
Go! And speak to the giant, not about it.
Go! And remember—God is with you.
Invitation to Faith in Jesus
If you’ve never surrendered your life to Jesus, let today be the day. The One who defeated death invites you to new life.
Romans 10:9 (NLT): “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
You don’t need to fix yourself first. Just come to Jesus.
Right now, say yes to Him. Come as you are—He loves you too much to leave you there.
Final Encouragement
Don’t let the enemy define you. Don’t let fear confine you.
You are not a grasshopper—you are God’s chosen warrior.
Go! And See Yourself Through God's Eyes.
