Grasshoppers and Giants

A study in Trust and Faith – Seeing with through the eyes of faith

Israel was freed from Egypt - by God’s power

They heard his voice on the mountain

The spies – Numbers 13:

“27 Thus they told him, and said, “We went in to the land where you sent us; and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. 28 “Nevertheless, the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; and moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak there.” Numbers 13:27,28, NAS95.

Were they reporting from a position of faith (trust) in God, or themselves?

Caleb confidently steps up and says;

“30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it.”” Numbers 13:30, NAS95.

“32 So they gave out to the sons of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone, in spying it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants; and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great size. 33 “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 13:32,33, NAS95.

Again Caleb speaks confidently from faith;

“7 and they spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, “The land which we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. 8 “If the LORD is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us--a land which flows with milk and honey. 9 “Only do not rebel against the LORD; and do not fear the people of the land, for they will be our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them.”” Numbers 14:7-9, NAS95.

The Conquest of Jericho – Joshua 6:1-27

“1 Now Jericho was tightly shut because of the sons of Israel; no one went out and no one came in. 2 The LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and the valiant warriors.” Joshua 6:1,2, NAS95.

Joshua without hesitation, confidently did what the Lord commanded and they were successful. Joshua put his faith into action and by God’s power took the city.

The eyes of faith allowed Joshua to see the gift the Lord had given.

David kills Goliath – 1 Samuel 17

About Goliath – Giant by any standards – certainly an intimidating sight

-          by some estimates almost 12 feet tall

-          Amour weighed 156 lbs.

“37 And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and may the LORD be with you.”” 1 Samuel 17:37, NAS95.

“45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. 46 “This day the LORD will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 47 and that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD’S and He will give you into our hands.” 48 Then it happened when the Philistine rose and came and drew near to meet David, that David ran quickly (didn’t hesitate)  toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. 49 And David put his hand into his bag and took from it a stone and slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead. And the stone sank into his forehead, so that he fell on his face to the ground.” 1 Samuel 17:45-49, NAS95.

David’s faith was in the right place and the right thing – God! Not himself and his own skill…He was confident in the Lord!

The eyes of faith allowed him to see that the victory belonged top the Lord.

Arameans plot to capture Elisha – 2 Kings 6

King Aram was angry that Elisha was revealing his battle plans to the king of Israel, so he sent his army to capture him.

“15 Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” 2 Kings 6:15-17, NAS95.

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? " (Romans 8:31, NASB95)

We need to pray for the Lord top open our eyes of faith so that we may see His power around us.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego

“16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. 17 “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 “But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”” Daniel 3:16-18, NAS95.

Daniel’s confidence…

“16 Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions’ den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.”” Daniel 6:16, NAS95.

“23 Then the king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.” Daniel 6:23, NAS95.

Paul’s confidence…

“5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:5-8, NAS95.

The Promise of the Great Commission

OUR GIANTS….

-          The denominational preachers

-          Those who teach error

-          Witch doctors

OUR FORTIFIED CITIES…

-          Our neighbors door, our workplaces, our schools…

-          Denominational friends, neighbors, co-workers

-          Christ will be with us – the GREAT COMMISSION

OUR ARMIES THAT STAND AGAINST US…

-          anywhere we feel out-numbered, surrounded by people who aren’t on OUR side

“2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” 2 Timothy 4:2, NAS95.

“9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”” Joshua 1:9, NAS95.

WE ARE THE GIANTS IN THE LAND!! Because the God of heaven is on our side.