Listen to this devotion
What Should We Do?
In the Word
But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy [the land], for we are well able to overcome it." Then the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are” (Numbers 13:30–31).
Of the Word
As the people of Israel neared the Promised Land, they felt uncertain about entering it. A faithful spy, Caleb, brought words of assurance that the people could enter the land and overcome it. Ten other spies brought words of doom, warning the Israelites not to enter the land for fear of failure. A decision had to be made and, ultimately, fear overcame them. As a result, the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years.
Communities are faced with decisions and uncertainty, asking, “What should we do?” There is opportunity for success and fear of failure. In such times, well-gained knowledge is a helpful guide. Good information provides good guidance for good decisions.
The lesson learned from Numbers 14 is not to allow fear to overcome. Decisions from fear are decisions to fail. But biblically-based and God-sought decisions allow community leaders to take effective action and lead the people forward. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act (Psalm 37:5).
Walking with my Lord
O Lord, I do not know what lies over the horizon in uncertain times. But do not let fear overcome me. Enable me to be committed to Your ways in all that I do. In Your holy name. Amen.
Mustard Seed: In Times of Need. Authors: Rev. Larry Krueger, Rev. Mike Mattil, & Rev. Kris Whitby. 20/30 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40197
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
