Numbers 14:6-9 - Flesh Can Never Accomplish What Only Faith Can Do.

Numbers 14:6-9 - Flesh Can Never Accomplish What Only Faith Can 
Do. 

Numbers 14:6-9 (TNIV) Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of 
Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their 
clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, The land we passed 
through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with 
us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and 
honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And 
do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour 
them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be 
afraid of them. 

The report of the majority of the spies brought about a 
destructive chain reaction in the camp of Israel. The people wept, 
complained, looked back to Egypt, wanted a new leader, and even threatened 
to stone Caleb and Joshua. Such are the evidences of unbelief. 
Faith looks ahead with courage; unbelief looks back with complaint. 
Faith unites the people of God; unbelief looks for somebody to blame. 
There was still time to repent and seek God's face, but the people 
refused to listen to Caleb and Joshua. [Chapter by Chapter Bible 
Commentary by Warren Wiersbe re Num.14] 

How Do I Keep My Focus On God And Not On The Obstacles In My 
Life? 
When we perceive a threat to our wellbeing or an obstacle 
standing between us and our goals, we often fear that the overall plan 
for our lives is in serious jeopardy. In those times we need to 
remember the promises of God. When the Israelite spies set out on a 
reconnaissance mission to assess the land of Canaan, they had no idea what they 
would encounter.... The spies confirmed that the Promised Land was 
indeed everything God said it was - but they focused on what they saw 
as the obstacles to their taking the land, namely the giants who 
lived there. They gave an accurate report, but they failed to give the 
whole story. Only Joshua and Caleb spoke the truth. These faithful men 
recounted what they had seen and then reiterated, in their own words, the 
promises of God that had brought them to his point:... Joshua and Caleb 
lived to see the Promised Land, but only because they focused on the 
goal God had laid out for them and not on the obstacles standing in 
the way... Never allow shortsighted vision - especially one focused on 
obstacles - to block the far-reaching plan of the Lord. [Life Principles 
SB By Charles Stanley re Num. 14:8, 9] 

At times it might seem easier to return to a place of spiritual 
bondage, but we can never move toward blessing by returning to slavery. 
God told Israel to move forward, not back. When we allow fear to 
drive us to spiritual rebellion, we take a step toward devastation, 
rather than towards the blessing and growth God has for us. [Life 
Principles SB By Charles Stanley re Num. 14:3] 

One weekend I arrived at a beach, looking forward to walking in 
the lovely white sand. What awaited me was the most awful-smelling 
seaweed I've ever seen - not one pile but miles and miles of it brought 
in by a storm. The first two days all I could see (or smell) was 
that stinky seaweed. I barely noticed the beautiful things about 
those two days. The next morning when I went out, the seaweed was 
still there, but this time the Lord turned my gaze to the dazzling 
blue Texas sky, the blonde toddler splashing in the waves, a dad and 
his son making an intricate sand castle. Oh, the seaweed was still 
there, but this time it didn't spoil my enjoyment because my focus was 
somewhere else. 
Joshua and Caleb were the kinds of leaders who saw that the land 
they explored was "exceedingly good" (v. 7, NIV). But the other men 
saw only giants and obstacles and were filled with fear. Joshua and 
Caleb saw the possibilities, but the others spread a bad report. Ask 
the Lord to help you to look up and keep your focus on him - and to 
not miss the beautiful things along the way. 

LORD, open my spiritual eyes to see those "exceedingly good" 
things in my path. Forgive me for focusing on the problems and the 
"stinky seaweed" in the world around me. As I keep my eyes on you and 
the goals you've put before me, may I go forth in faith, not in 
fear, so that I don't miss the beauty and blessings of each day. 
[Praying Through The Bible By Fuller re Num. 14:6-9] 

The flesh can never accomplish what only faith can do. (Deut. 
1:41-44.) [Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe re 
Num.14]