YOU CAN OVERCOME
Numbers 13: 1-3, 25, & 30
In this scripture Moses is doing what God had told him to do. He was sending some men, one from each of the twelve tribes of Israel to go into the land of Canaan and check out all that was there and then report back to the people.
Moses told them which way he wanted them to travel and to go upon a certain mountain and look at the land. (Sometimes you just have to survey your situation.)
Before we get too far, I want to call your attention to the fact that God told Moses to send them to the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel.
I want you to hold on to that thought-------that God said He had already given the land to them.
Moses said I want you to look at the land, what it is, and the people that dwell therein, if they are strong or weak, few or many.
See if the land is good or bad, and what kind of cities they dwell in, if they live in tents or strongholds. (You see, it matters where you live.)
He said I want to know if the land is fat or lean, if there is wood on it or not, and bring me some of the fruit of the land.
The Bible says that the time was the time of the firstripe grapes.
In Hebron they came to the brook of Eshcol and cut off a cluster of grapes, and hung it on a pole so two men could carry it because it was so big.
We don’t always hear about this, but they also brought back pomegranates and figs.
After being in the land for forty days they returned back to the camp, went to Moses and Aaron and to all the children of Israel and showed them the fruit of the land.
They said we went to the place you sent us and the land surely flows with milk and honey, and this is the fruit of it.
But the people are strong that live there and the cities are walled and very great and we saw the giants.
And Caleb quieted down the people before Moses and said, let’s go up at once and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.
For just a little while I want to share something with you. God had right up front told Moses that He had given the land to them. But they sent spies over just to look around. (Sometimes folks just want to look around at God’s promises and try and check them out.)
God had freed them from bondage in Egypt, delivered them from their enemies, and now brought them to the border of a wilderness experience and a life of joy and plenty and they couldn’t just receive it. ( Why couldn’t they just go on in?) (Because the spirit of the world was holding them back.)
They had to explore what was there first. Worried about what problems might face them. Not trusting God again. Surely if He promised the land to them it would be something good and worth having.
Even worth fighting for if the need be.
The problem was the same old problem that faces the child of the King in the hour in which we live. DOUBT AND FEAR!
They saw the promised land, they knew that it was good and food was plentiful, they had the promise, but still they couldn’t cross the river.
Ten out of the twelve of them doubted. Much the same as today I predict.
Caleb said, we are well able to overcome it.
That meant they had the power, the capacity to prevail or succeed.
Come on somebody, we’ve got the power! There is power in the name of Jesus----There is power in the blood of the lamb! There is wonder working power! There is miraculous power in the name that is above every other name!
His name is Jesus, it was His blood that bought and paid for my eternal life. Oh, when I say the name of Jesus, when I speak His wonderful name, I feel the power and joy that only He can give.
Power to save me, power to cleanse me, power to set me free, power to keep me under His protection, power to keep me through the night, to watch over me all day long, power to heal my old mortal body, ( Glory to God) everything from the smallest pain to a flesh eating cancer, my God can do anything!
Come on, if He doesn’t do it today, He’ll do it tomorrow, If not tomorrow then the next day. I’m not going to worry about when or how, I’m just going to have faith that He is.
[ Listen, you have to have faith when you are facing delays. Just like Caleb.]
He saw the same giants and walled city as the other spies, but the ten brought back an evil report of unbelief. Caleb’s words declared a conviction-----a confession----before all Israel. He said we are well able to overcome.
He had surveyed the land, a reminder that faith is not blind. Faith does not deny the reality of difficulty; it declares the power of God in the face of the problem.
There is a message in the spirit of Caleb’s response to the rejection of his faith-filled report.
Some use their confession of faith to cultivate a split of the people, but Caleb stood his ground in faith and still moved in partnership and support----for forty years----beside many whose unbelief delayed his own experience.
[ What patience as well as faith!]
His eventual actual possession of the land at a later date indicates that even though delays come, faith’s confession will ultimate4ly bring victory to the believer.
You can overcome!
Jesus said in John 16:33:
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
KJV
In 1 John 4:4 He said:
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
KJV
Someone is always going to tell you that you can’t overcome, just like the ten spies, and it is because of the spirit of fear and doubt.
According to the word of God, the promised land was just what it indicates, it was theirs. They didn’t have any problem, all they needed was faith in God. Faith to believe what He had said, faith to get up, pack up, and go on across the river and claim their promise.
We ought to give God some glory in this place this morning.
But we have to think about it first. Is that Bible really true? Do you suppose God really said all those things? Did He mean that for me or just other people?
Can I really have all that? Is it for poor folks like me? Is my skin the wrong color? Do I have enough education? Was I too mean or bad to have anything good? Am I too old, too young? Do I fit in?
Pardon my next phrase, but come on, wake up! He meant it for Peter, James, and John and all the other disciples, He meant it for Paul and Silas, He meant it for grandpa and grandma, mamma and daddy, come on somebody, He meant it for you and me! (Glory to God)
It’s time to get out the will, the promise, the Bible if you will and just see what all God promised you. Believe it receive it and stand on it. After you’ve done all you can do to stand, then get up and stand.
In Matthew 11: 5-6 we find that:
5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
KJV
This is your promise, given to you some two thousand years ago----Receive it today in the name of Jesus.
Doubt and fear, I come against you in the name of Jesus. I command you to come out of every child of the King and I speak deliverance into their bodies and into their life.
Praise Him right now, give Him glory, begin to receive all that He has promised you. Be healed, be set free.
I speak it in the authority of Jesus.
