“The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel. From each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a chief among them.’”

Numbers 13:1–2 (ESV)

Without faith we cannot please God. But sometimes reason gets in the way of faith. Faith is believing in what we cannot see, but reason focuses on what we can see. When the children of Israel came to Kadesh Barnea at the entrance to the Promised Land, the people said to Moses:

“Let us send men before us, and let them search out the land for us, and bring back word to us of the way by which we should go up, and of the cities into which we shall come.”

Deuteronomy 1:22 (NKJV)

The plan pleased Moses, so he selected one man from each tribe and sent them to spy out the land. They were to see whether the people were strong or weak, few or many. They were to assess the quality of the land and whether the people lived in open camps or fortified cities. Finally, they were to be of good courage and bring back fruit from the land. They would take forty days to complete their reconnaissance.

This plan seemed reasonable. It is how commanders strategize for warfare. But the plan originated with man and not with God. They would be relying on sight rather than believing in the word of God. God told them to go and possess the land. Why wasn’t that enough?

This sight-seeing trip in Canaan would prove to be disastrous. It collapsed their faith and discouraged their hearts. But we will look at that next time. Today we are just considering the deception of walking by sight rather than walking by faith.

Has God told you to do something? King Solomon gives us wise advice in Proverbs 3:5-6:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

Proverbs 3:5–6 (NKJV)

If you will trust in the LORD, not lean on your own understanding or reason, and seek to know His will in every circumstance, then not only will God direct your paths, but He will also help you to succeed!

Thanks for reading. I’m glad you’re here. 😊

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