INTRODUCTION
All of us have a promise from God upon our lives. You may have had a word from God, or by signs, similitude, visions or dreams (Numbers 6:12; Job 33:14-18; Hosea 12:10). We should also have an expectation that God can (or will) answer our prayers and address our needs (Psalm 55:22; Matthew 6:8; Hebrew 11:6; I Peter 5:7).
But the human tendency is to feel hopeless, fearful, doubtful, or confused, when, in spite of our prayers, we ‘see’ little or no change in trying situations. This message should help you understand the nature of God’s promise and opposition. It uses Numbers Chapters 13 and 14 particularly to illustrate certain Godly principles on promise to guide on how to overcome opposition.
A. THE NATURE OF GOD’S PROMISES
What is the nature and context of God’s promises? God has ‘good’ promises for your life! ‘Only God is good’! He made all things good and gives us good things; He gives us His goodness freely. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from [God], the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning”. God’s blessings make one rich and adds no sorrow with it; (Nahum 1:7; Jeremiah 29:11; Mark 10:18; Psalm 145:7; 1Timothy 6:17 James 1:17; Proverbs 10:22).
God is also faithful. “[He] is not a man, that he should lie”. He will perform his words and will “make “good” what he has spoken. No one or nothing can reverse God’s promised blessings (Numbers 23:19-20; Lamentations 3:37).
B. THE OPPOSITION TO GOD’S GOODNESS
There is one, who is the enemy, a liar and deceiver, who opposes God’s goodness. He is Satan, our accuser and adversary (John 8:44: 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:9-10). He can neither fight God nor make void His promises, so he opposes us because God loves us.
So our Father God has “prepared all good things for [us] which eye has not seen, nor ear heard” of; and has hid them for us in Christ, the saviour, and keeper (1 Corinthians 2:9).
C. GODLY PRINCIPLES ON PROMISE AND OPPOSITION
Let us consider the example in Numbers 13 & 14.
God promised land to Abraham for his generations. The promise is about to fulfil. God tells Moses to send men “to spy out the land”: whether the land be ‘good or bad’, ‘fat or lean’; whether the people dwelling there were “strong or weak, few or many”; or whether they dwell “in tents, or in strong holds”. He told them to be of “good courage”, and to bring of the fruit of the land: It was “the time of the first ripe grapes” (Numbers 13:17-20).
1. Opposition Comes with God’s Promise
Think about this! The spies search should reveal alternatives of good or evil, strong or weak, fat or lean, few or many, tents, or strongholds. You may wonder why the promised gift of God appears to be set within such contrasts.
But remember that Moses assures the men to “be of good courage”. Also, they were sent at a time of the “first ripe grapes” – the richness of God’s promise.
2. Opposing Alternatives Can Blur the Promise
One key point to note is that for every blessing promised or given of God, there usually is an opposition (Numbers 22:5-6; Mark 10:30). Also, when faced with opposition certain alternatives will be present which may blur the good promise:
- your situation may appear good or bad’;
- your persecutors may appear ‘strong or weak’ few or many;
- your enemies’ resolve, boast or confidence (‘dwelling’) may appear as a tent or a stronghold;
Brethren note that, the alternative one chooses to focus on when opposed (e.g. good or bad), will depend on one’s faith in the power of God behind His promise or the situation one faces.
3. Opposition Engenders Alternative Perceptions
Now let us consider the report of the spies when they returned from surveying the land: what was the strength of their faith in God’s promise in the face of opposition? The spies returned with two reports :- an ‘evil report’ of the land – i.e. a physical-eye report that was based on FEARFUL FACTS; and a ‘good report’ – i.e. a spiritual- eye report that was based on HOPEFUL TRUTH.
3.1 Fearful Facts Breeds A Negative Perception
When faced with opposition, one’s perception may be influenced by negativity owing to anxiety and fear of the physical state of affairs that may confront one at the time. For instance the Spies brought an evil report that overlooked God’s promise and focused instead on the physical threats on the land such as ‘strongholds’, ‘giants’, ‘enemies’, ‘mountains’ etc.
Although these were apparent FACTS on the land, yet they were subject to individual perceptions and interpretation. The facts therefore could change in emphasis depending on the graveness of the reporter’s situation and his fearfulness. For example, the statement of the spies that, it “is a land that eateth up the inhabitants” was not a fact, but a speculation, derived from the spirit of fear (Numbers 13:27-33).
3.1.1 Focus on the Promise Not on the Opposition
One should avoid murmuring and dwelling on the difficult situations we face because they will only magnify the problem, cause fearfulness and discouragement, and empower the devil in the warfare on the mind (Ephesians 2:2-3). It may also lead to thinking that one’s situation or enemies are mightier than God, and thereby to lose sight of God’s love and his promise for you.
Remember, “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but the spirit of love, of power and of a sound mind”. In trials therefore, keep your mind on the Lord (2 Timothy 1:7, Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 3:6). Show diligence through faith and patiently endure to inherit your blessing (Hebrew 6:15).
3.2 Hopeful TRUTH Breeds Positive Perception
Let us now consider here the “good report” of the spies.
Caleb and Joshua gave a “good report” perceived by their Spiritual-eye and based on the hopeful TRUTH of God’s word. They testified that the Promised Land “is an exceeding good land” (Numbers 14:7). Although as the others, they saw the factual threats that existed on the land, they chose to focus instead on God promise of the land and on his power to deliver it to them.
3.2.1 The Spirit of Faith Inspires Courage
Brethren, consider that Caleb “had another spirit with him” that was different. He therefore pronounces confidently: “let us go up at once and possess it; for we are able to overcome it” (Numbers 13:30; 14:24).
The TRUTH of God’s word, unlike factual realities is based on conviction by the Spirit of faith that the word of God has power to make good His promises. This conviction led both men to pray saying: “If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us” (Numbers 14:8).
3.2.2 God’s TRUTH does not change
God’s TRUTH does not change regardless of the situation or circumstances. It inspires courage, confidence, and determination against all odds. For instance, Caleb and Joshua encouraged their fearful brethren saying, “only rebel not against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not” (Numbers 14:9).
D. BELIEVER’S FAITH BOOSTER
1. In All Opposition Give Thanks to God
You may be preparing for an examination, a job interview, or in a job that stresses you or need a new career path. You may have a child that is trying you – (he or she is a blessing!). You may be in need of a home, a family, a marriage, or a child. You may desire a financial career or breakthrough. You may be in a difficult marriage, a challenging divorce, or an unfulfilling relationship. You may be in a challenging religious or faith community. You may be mourning a loved one, broken by illness or rejection. You may be lacking faith in God or giving-up on life.
Regardless of the situation, need, challenge, circumstances, or condition, if you have ‘life’ then you have God’s promise and a blessing to claim. Your situation now could determine the road to your promise depending on how you perceive it – by either a physical-eye based on its FEARFUL FACTS; or a Spiritual-eye based on the HOPEFUL TRUTH of God’s promise and who He is in POWER.
2. God’s Love for You Is Bigger Than Your Challenge
Brethren, know that you have God’s word in perpetual promise to you (as the Promised Land). GLORY TO GOD! Your promise for – salvation, victory, deliverance, restoration, healing, prosperity, success, power, riches, wisdom, strength, honour, glory, and blessing has been claimed on your behalf by YESHUA your Messiah, our Christ, who is God’s own sacrifice by death and resurrection, Hallelujah! To dwell upon this TRUTH can dispel all fears and enlighten your situation (Isaiah 40:7-8).
God loves and cares deeply about you than about the situation you face because you are bigger than it! You are not surnamed after your situation, but as Child of the ALMIGHTY GOD, in the NAME of JESUS, possessing POWER over all things (Isaiah 40:26 &29).
3. Impossibilities In temptation is God’s ‘Possible’
In temptation, therefore, do not hid the devil’s lies that magnifies the present affliction as hopeless because “with men [it] is impossible, but with God all thing is possible” (Matthew 19:26). Be of ‘GOOD COURAGE’ and of ‘GOOD CHEER, the courage and cheerfulness deriving from reliance on the ‘goodness’ of God’s Word – that it will never void; and his faithfulness which never fail; and you shall OVERCOME in JESUS NAME (Isaiah 55:11; John 16:33; Lamentation 3:22-23)
PRAYER
Holy Father of Heaven, thank you for your word. We praise you for your great goodness, and your tender mercies over all your works.
Dear Lord, give us courage in difficult times to sanctify you and make only you our dread; and embolden us to neither fear the fear of our adversary nor be afraid (Psalm 145:9; Isaiah 8:12 & 13).
We pray for revelation of the GRACE of Jesus Christ to insure our faith in his power to deliver us from this present evil world according to the will of Father God (Galatians 1:3-4).
Holy Spirit, Power of God, be the strength of our lives: that in trouble we are not distressed; and when perplexed by our circumstances remove despair (Psalm 27:1; 2 Corinthians 4: 8)
I make this prayer in JESUS NAME.
Have a blessed Sabbath!
Lots of Love, P. Schwartz (SOG) 12/05/2017
