Seeing Through Eyes of Faith

​“There also we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”  Numbers 13:33

Joshua and Caleb, along with 10 other spies, surveyed the land and the people of Canaan. Everyone that spoke about Canaan agreed that the land flowed with milk and honey, but 10 of the spies spoke differently than Joshua and Caleb spoke about possessing the land. Not only did the 10 spies give a bad report about potentially conquering the land, they also revealed the object of their faith. As the 10 spoke in great faith to the Israelites about the ability and strength of the sons of Anak (giants of the land), they also turned the hearts of the people of Israel towards doubting the omnipotence of God, the faithfulness of God, and the promise of God. After the 10 saw the sons of Anak, they focused on their own frailty and disregarded their trust in God. They went on to compare themselves to grasshoppers in comparison to the inhabitants of the land. They believed themselves to be already defeated because they believed the inhabitants of Canaan saw them in the same manner.

On the other hand, Joshua and Caleb, who also saw the sons of Anak, reminded the 10 spies along with the Israelites that it was the Lord who promised to bring them into Canaan to possess it. Moreover, God removed the inhabitants’ protection and that the inhabitants of Canaan will be their prey and not the other way around. Joshua and Caleb, seeing with eyes of faith, did not cower in fear, nor consider themselves as grasshoppers, nor did they believe that they appeared as grasshoppers. They spoke of the object of their faith, which was the Lord who was with them and they were not to fear the sons of Anak who currently possessed the land of Canaan. Joshua and Caleb urged the Israelites not to rebel against the Lord in fear and disbelief because the fear and disbelief would lead to disobedience (Numbers 14:8-9).

​As you read of the 12 spies, their differences in faith, and their power to influence the faith of others, ask yourself: Who is the object of your faith? Do you trust in your limited strength and ability? Do you see yourself as a grasshopper when you see whatever challenges, trials, and circumstances that seem like giants? Do you encourage others to focus on themselves and to see themselves as grasshoppers or do you encourage them to focus on the Lord and strengthen their faith in the Lord? Remember, you are not a prey to your circumstances, so do not fear because the Lord is with you. Begin to see the Lord as He really is. He is greater than any fear, trial, obstacle, challenge, or circumstance. Begin to see your difficulty as infinitely smaller than grasshoppers in comparison to our great God. Have faith in our faithful God and choose to see everything in your life through eyes of faith.