Imagine you’re about to be blessed with something really big. Envision that God actually told you He was going to grace you with it, and also describes it to you so you know what to expect and He promises to give it to you. Would you go check it out first? Would you see if it was ‘good enough’ for your own liking? Would you see if it was everything you had imagined it would be? Would you make sure God was accurate in His description? 

We all want to say no. You may have even said it to yourself while reading those questions, like I did.

As I read through Numbers 13 and 14 in my personal study, I was baffled by the unbelief that God’s people had as they were being led to the promised land. After their arduous journey leading up to their destination, God had shown His faithfulness over and over. There was no reason for them to have so much doubt in God’s blessing. He took them from slavery, helped them win battles, and made sure they never went without. Yet all the Israelites did was complain⁠—almost the entire time too. 

Upon arriving at Canaan, they questioned God’s words. Even after all the promises of what the land would be like and all the times God made a way since freeing them from slavery, they sent men to spy on the land. When they returned, almost all of them had bad report. Yes, it was just like how God had said it was, HOWEVER, the people were too abundant. They were strong. They were everywhere. There was absolutely no way they could successfully take over the land God had promised them.

Instead of trusting that God would make a way, they raised a loud cry, wishing they would have died in Egypt or in the wilderness. Think about that. They would rather be taken back to where they were languished in misery, suffering, and a broken-spirit, than to trust God would not fail them.

How often do you do that when God is trying to bless you? It’s exactly like God said it would be, HOWEVER, there is too great an obstacle standing between you and that promise. You’d wish to be back at a time in the past, because this thing now looks too big for you to handle. But I mean… it is. However, it’s not too big for God. 

You are still here. God has taken you out of oppression, adversity, and hardship. He has removed you from places and circumstances that you thought would break you. He has never let you down. He’s been faithful through generations. He has never failed you, so why would He now? Sometimes the only thing standing between where we are and our blessing is ourselves. 

Don’t stand in your own way. Even if it seems big. Even if it seems scary. God needs you to trust Him. Don’t go back to your slave mentality. Don’t scare yourself back to your past. You’ve already been unbound from that; do not tie ropes back around yourself just because it’s easier to feel the sting of the ropes than the uncertainty of being taken care of when you’re free. Let your faith arise and trust the blessing God is trying to prepare you for.