It’s crazy to me that it took the Isrealites 40 years to get to the Promised Land, considering that it was only a 10 or 11 day journey by foot! While it seems absolutely absurd, there’s a reason why it happened that way, and I believe it has the potential to teach us something about the world we’re living in today. You see, once the Jews were close to their destination, Moses sent a group of twelve spies, one from each tribe, to scope out the new territory and bring back a report. Upon their return, while all of them agreed that this was a land flowing with milk and honey, only Joshua and Caleb were positive about the prospect of possessing it. Since it was inhabited by giants, the other ten men could not see beyond the obstacle of defeating them in order to claim ownership. Full of concern, they lost sight of the fact that they had seen God part the Red Sea and turn it into dry land. The same One who faithfully guided them day and night and sustained them with manna was surely able to deliver the promise into their hands, if only they would place their trust in Him. Unfortunately, they chose to magnify their fear and not their faith, and they returned to the already disgruntled people to plant seeds of negativity that quickly spread throughout the entire population. Before long, the Jews were revolting against God and foolishly wishing to return to slavery in Egypt. As shocking as that sounds, since they were too afraid to take hold of the Lord’s promise to them, they wandered around the wilderness for 40 long years and never saw it fulfilled. 

My friend, this story is a great illustration of what can happen when fearful words win over a perspective of faith. Though the majority came back to report the “fact” that there were giants in the land, Joshua and Caleb stood on the truth that God was more powerful than anything or anyone they had observed. Unquestionably, theirs is the kind of trust required in a world that is overrun by bad news, and it’s why you are needed now more than ever! As you anchor your heart in hope and choose to claim the promises of God over the words of man, your journey will be accelerated and you will mobilize others to help them reach their divinely-appointed destination. Nothing is as contagious as courageous faith, so choose to believe His promises are for you, shake the dust of distrust off your feet, and boldly lead yourself and others out of the wilderness of worry.