MARCH 3

Moses sent twelve men, one from each of the tribes of Israel, to spy out the Promised Land. After exploring for forty days, the men returned. The entire congregation was anxiously waiting to hear what these twelve leaders had to say.

The spies told Moses, “We came to the land to which you sent us; surely it flows with milk and honey; this is its fruit” (Numbers 13:27, AMP). Can you imagine the excitement among the congregation as these twelve men showed them the fruit they had brought from the land? Just as God promised, the soil was rich and fertile. They brought back pomegranates, figs, and a single cluster of grapes that was so large it took two men to carry it on a pole between them. At long last, their waiting was over. Soon they would be enjoying the fruit of the land and the blessings God had promised them!

But then ten of the spies reported that “…the people who dwell there are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; moreover there we saw the sons of Anak (of great stature and courage)” (Numbers 13:28, AMP). At this news, concern spread among the Israelites and they began to express their doubts and fears.

Two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, tried to encourage the people saying, “Let us go up at once and possess it; we are well able to conquer it” (Numbers 13:30). But the other men said, “We are not able to go up against the people (of Canaan); for they are stronger than we are” (Numbers 13:31). Two expressed faith to advance. Ten gave a negative report saying that the land was possessed by powerful enemies that would destroy them. At this point, the people had heard two voices: The voice of faith and the voice of unbelief. One voice said, “We are well able.” The other voice said, “We are not able.”

God had told the Israelites to go in and take possession of the land. He had assured them that He would drive out their enemies before them. No further discussion was necessary. No questioning. No hesitating. All that was required was for them to obey the voice of God. The voice of God had been confirmed by the voice of faith when Caleb said, “We are well able to conquer it.” He and Joshua pleaded with the people not to rebel against God (Numbers 14:7-9).

God’s people had a choice: To listen to the voice of faith and obey God, or to listen to the voice of unbelief and rebel against Him. Which voice will you listen to? God had told the people to advance, no questions asked. Never put a question mark where God has put a period.