September 28 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

Almost two years after the people had left Egypt, they came to the frontiers of Canaan. Then twelve men were selected (one for each tribe) to form a sort of commando group to spy out the land. They spent forty days in Canaan.

When they returned, they brought evidence of the riches of the land. They found grapes of such enormous clusters that they had to be carried on a pole by two men. Yet the majority presented an unfavorable report. Ten out of twelve concluded: "We can't attack those people [of Canaan]; they are stronger than we are" (v. 31).

Joshua and Caleb had a different view. But they did not get a hearing. The people had come so far and had traveled so long that they were totally disheartened. "That night all the members of the community ... wept aloud" (Num. 14:1).

A tumultuous meeting was held, and the spies reported. Joshua and Caleb tried in vain to encourage the people. Finally the furious mob was ready to throw stones at their leaders. At that moment the blinding light of the glory of the Lord descended on the tent of meeting—which meant that God wished to speak to Moses. Then Moses had to struggle with God for the life of the nation.

The Bible says that the Israelites "were not able to enter, because of their unbelief" (Heb. 3:19). The reason was not the strength of the Canaanites, the fortified cities, or the giant descendants of Anak. It was unbelief.

This is also the difference in the reporting by the spies. There are two ways of seeing things—in the light of faith, and without that light.

The church has been called to possess the earth. If we look at that challenge without the light of faith, the world looks scary and the mission impossible. But faith says that all things and all people will bow before the power of the Lord—even giants and fortified cities.

REFLECTIONS

What are some of the "giants" that threaten the church today—and you as an individual Christian?

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published by Paideia Press in 1977. This updated edition is copyright 2009 by Faith Alive Christian Resources. You can order a copy of this revised version of the book directly from the publisher.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this updated edition of Daylight are from the Holy Bible: Today's New International Version copyright 2001, 2005 by the International Bible Society.