What would it have felt like to be one of God’s chosen people, the Israelites, and be on the brink of entering the amazing new land God had promised them? A special place “flowing with milk and honey,” rich with beauty and resources and plentiful harvests, hand-picked for them by their gracious and loving Father.

It must have been exhilarating and exciting, until some of the spies who had been sent to scope out the land brought back a “bad report.” They warned the people that the land was well-fortified with big, strong, mighty people.

In Numbers 13, we see the Israelites’ excitement turn to fear and doubt. They “raised a loud cry.” (14:1). They “grumbled against Moses and Aaron.” (14:2) They said, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt!!” (14:2) And then, the real kicker: “Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” (14:4)

Why didn’t they just trust God?

God had helped the Israelites escape from the massive and mighty Egyptian army! They had seen God’s powerful hand save them in the past! 

Why couldn’t they just trust God?

It seems so obvious, sitting here thousands of years later, reading the story from the safety of our comfortable homes, knowing the big picture. Those silly, stupid people. How easy it is to condemn them.

But…what about the uncertain things that lay ahead in my future? Things that loom ahead like scary and unpredictable giants. Things that seem mountainous, daunting, and hard. How often do I question and grumble and doubt?

Why can’t I just trust God?

I have seen God work in amazing ways in my life. I have seen His miraculous power. I know He is here, and is faithful to His promises. Yet I still question His leading, and try to do things my own way.

Why can’t I just trust Him?

I think God put the story of the Israelites in the Bible to help us take a good hard look at our own selves. Because the things those people faced all those years ago mirror our own lives in so many ways. The human fears and hesitations and complaints are just as prevalent in our hearts as they were in the hearts of the Israelites. 

What is your “Promised Land?” What blessings could lie ahead in your future if you would only just keep trusting? What is holding you back from believing God?

Let us say with the man in Mark 9 who cries out to Jesus, “I believe; help my unbelief!” May we not let doubts and fears keep us from receiving the good things God has planned for us.

God, I believe in you, and I trust you, but yet sometimes I waver. Help me to stand strong in my belief and keep trusting firmly in you.