Faith Over Fear: Embracing God's Promises

Summary

In the story of the twelve spies sent into Canaan, we see a powerful lesson about the difference between faith and fear. God had already promised the land to Israel, yet when faced with giants and fortified cities, ten of the spies allowed fear to shape their perspective, spreading a negative report that led the entire nation into doubt and rebellion. Only Joshua and Caleb, men of a different spirit, chose to believe God’s promise over what their eyes saw. This moment challenges us to consider: whose report will we believe? Will we trust in the unchanging word of the Lord, or will we be swayed by the intimidating circumstances before us?

Faith does not deny the reality of giants, but it declares that God is greater than any obstacle. The confession, “I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord,” is not just a statement of hope, but a declaration of trust in God’s promises, regardless of what the world or even our own bodies may say. We are called to speak life, to reject the negative reports that come from the enemy, and to stand on the truth of God’s Word. This includes every area of our lives—health, provision, and spiritual authority.

God’s provision is abundant and often comes in unexpected ways, but we are to expect His goodness and claim His promises. We are not to confess lack or defeat, but to declare God’s sufficiency in every circumstance. Divine healing is not just a hope, but a spiritual reality purchased by Christ. Sickness, at its root, is a spiritual issue, and Jesus has already borne our diseases. When we recognize this, we can receive healing by faith, knowing that God’s Word is the final authority.

We are also reminded of our authority in Christ. Just as Jesus commanded demons to go with a word, we too are called to exercise spiritual authority over every work of the enemy. We do not glorify the devil or dwell on his attacks; instead, we stand in our identity as redeemed, victorious children of God. The Word works, and as we act on it, signs and wonders will follow. Let us be people who believe the report of the Lord, walk in faith, and declare His works in every area of our lives.

Key Takeaways

- Faith Sees Beyond Giants
Faith does not ignore the reality of challenges, but it sees God’s promise as greater than any obstacle. Like Joshua and Caleb, we are called to look past the giants in our lives and trust that God’s word is more powerful than what we see or feel. The choice to believe God’s report over the majority’s fear shapes our destiny and opens the way to God’s best. [06:28]

- The Power of Confession and Agreement
Our words carry spiritual weight. When we confess, “I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord,” we align ourselves with God’s truth and reject the enemy’s lies. Speaking life and agreeing with God’s promises releases faith and brings His reality into our circumstances, even when natural reports say otherwise. [08:49]

- Divine Healing is a Spiritual Reality
Sickness is not merely a physical issue; it is rooted in the spiritual realm, and Jesus has already dealt with it at the cross. When we understand that healing is part of our redemption, we can receive it by faith, not striving in our own strength but resting in what Christ has accomplished. The Word of God is the agent of healing, sent to deliver and restore us. [27:12]

- Authority Over the Enemy
We are not called to negotiate with the enemy or dwell on his activity, but to exercise the authority given to us in Christ. Just as Jesus commanded demons to go with a word, we too can speak to every spiritual opposition and command it to leave. Our position in Christ is one of victory, and we must act from that place, refusing to glorify the devil or accept defeat. [38:45]

- Expectation and Gratitude for God’s Provision
God’s provision is abundant and often comes in ways we do not anticipate, but we are to expect His goodness and claim His promises. Instead of confessing lack or surprise at His blessings, we should live in expectation, thanking Him in advance for His faithfulness. This mindset shifts us from passivity to active faith, ready to receive and testify of God’s overflowing grace. [13:41]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:06] - The Promise and the Report of the Spies
[03:08] - Faith Versus Fear: The Power of Perspective
[06:28] - God is Greater Than Any Giant
[07:44] - Confessing Life and God’s Promises
[08:49] - Choosing the Report of the Lord
[09:19] - The Truth That Sets Us Free
[10:11] - Character, Humor, and Authentic Faith
[13:41] - Expecting God’s Provision
[15:28] - Walking in Divine Health
[17:19] - Divine Healing is God’s Will
[18:53] - God’s Unchanging Nature and Blessing Others
[25:47] - Sickness is a Spiritual Issue
[27:12] - The Word Sent to Heal
[30:18] - Faith That Touches Jesus
[32:54] - Rebuking Sickness and Standing in Authority
[35:02] - The Word Works: Miracles Follow
[38:45] - Exercising Authority Over the Enemy
[40:06] - Activating Faith in Daily Life
[41:50] - Closing Blessing and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

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### Bible Reading

1. Numbers 13:27-33; 14:1-10
(The report of the twelve spies and the response of Joshua and Caleb)
2. Psalm 118:17
(“I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.”)
3. Isaiah 53:1, 4-5
(“Who has believed our report?... By His stripes we are healed.”)

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### Observation Questions

1. In Numbers 13, what differences do you notice between the report given by the ten spies and the report given by Joshua and Caleb? What specific words or attitudes set them apart? [03:08]
2. According to Psalm 118:17, what is the psalmist declaring about his future and purpose?
3. In Isaiah 53:1, what question is being asked, and why is it important in the context of believing God’s promises? [06:28]
4. In the sermon, what does the pastor say about the reality of “giants” in our lives? Does faith mean pretending obstacles don’t exist? [06:28]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the majority of the spies focused on the giants and obstacles, even though God had already promised them the land? What does this reveal about the power of perspective? [03:08]
2. The pastor says, “Faith does not deny the existence of giants. It declares that God is greater than any giant in your life.” How does this statement challenge common ideas about faith and denial? [06:28]
3. The phrase “I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord” is repeated in the sermon. What does it mean to make this kind of confession, especially when circumstances seem to say otherwise? [07:44]
4. The sermon teaches that sickness is a spiritual issue and that Jesus has already dealt with it at the cross. How does this understanding affect the way a believer approaches prayer for healing? [25:47]

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### Application Questions

1. Think about a current “giant” or obstacle in your life. Are you more likely to focus on the problem or on God’s promise? What would it look like to respond like Joshua and Caleb this week? [03:08]
2. The pastor encourages us to confess, “I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord.” Is there a negative report (from a doctor, finances, relationships, etc.) that you have been repeating or believing? How can you begin to speak God’s truth over that situation instead? [08:49]
3. The sermon says, “God’s provision is abundant and often comes in unexpected ways, but we are to expect His goodness and claim His promises.” Are there areas where you have been surprised by God’s provision? How can you shift from surprise to expectation and gratitude? [13:41]
4. The pastor teaches that divine healing is a spiritual reality and that we can receive it by faith. If you or someone you know is struggling with sickness, what practical steps can you take to stand on God’s Word and pray with faith for healing? [27:12]
5. The message reminds us of our authority in Christ to command the enemy to go. Are there areas in your life or home where you have been tolerating the enemy’s influence? What would it look like to exercise your authority and speak to those situations this week? [38:45]
6. The pastor shares about not glorifying the devil or focusing on his attacks. Have you found yourself talking more about your problems or about God’s power? How can you intentionally shift your conversations and thoughts to declare God’s victory? [38:45]
7. The sermon ends with a call to “activate faith in daily life.” What is one specific action you can take this week to put your faith into practice—whether in your health, finances, relationships, or spiritual walk? [40:06]

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Devotional

Day 1: Faith Sees God’s Promise Beyond the Giants
When faced with challenges, it is easy to focus on the obstacles and giants in our path, but faith calls us to see beyond what intimidates us and to trust in the promises God has already spoken over our lives. Like Joshua and Caleb, we are invited to believe that God is greater than any opposition, and to move forward with confidence, declaring, “We are well able to overcome it.” The choice is ours: will we believe the negative report of fear, or the good report of faith? [03:08]

Numbers 13:27-33 (ESV)
And they told him, “We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. And besides, we saw the descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the Negeb. The Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the hill country. And the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and along the Jordan.” But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, 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.” So they brought to the people of Israel a bad report of the land that they had spied out, saying, “The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people that we saw in it are of great height. And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.”

Reflection: What is one “giant” in your life that you have been viewing through the lens of fear? How can you choose today to see it through the lens of God’s promise and take a step of faith?


Day 2: Choose to Believe the Report of the Lord
Every day, we are confronted with many voices and reports—some negative, some fearful, some full of doubt—but God calls us to believe His report above all others. The arm of the Lord is revealed to those who trust in His word, not denying the reality of challenges, but choosing to confess and stand on the truth of God’s promises. When we declare, “I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord,” we align our hearts with the victory and life that God has spoken over us, refusing to let the enemy’s lies have the final word. [07:44]

Isaiah 53:1 (ESV)
Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

Psalm 118:17 (ESV)
I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord.

Reflection: What negative report or word have you been tempted to accept as final? Will you choose today to confess God’s truth over your life and circumstances instead?


Day 3: God’s Provision and Abundance Are for You
God is a God of overflowing provision, and He desires for His people to walk in abundance, not lack. We are called to expect His provision, to speak life and blessing over our finances, health, and families, and to reject the mindset of scarcity or defeat. As we align our words and expectations with God’s promises, we open ourselves to receive all that He has for us, trusting that He is more than enough for every need. [13:41]

Philippians 4:19 (ESV)
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: In what area of your life have you been speaking lack or defeat? How can you begin to declare God’s provision and abundance over that area today?


Day 4: Divine Healing Is God’s Will for His People
Divine healing is not just a hope, but a promise rooted in the finished work of Jesus. Sickness is not merely a physical issue, but a spiritual one that Jesus has already carried and conquered on our behalf. By His stripes, we are healed, and as we receive this truth by faith, we can walk in the reality of healing and wholeness, rebuking sickness and standing firm in the authority Christ has given us. [31:40]

Isaiah 53:4-5 (ESV)
Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

Reflection: Is there a sickness or weakness you have accepted as permanent? Will you take a step of faith today to declare and receive the healing Jesus has already provided for you?


Day 5: Walk in Authority—Speak and Act on God’s Word
Jesus has given His followers authority over every work of the enemy, and we are called to exercise that authority by speaking God’s Word and commanding every obstacle, oppression, or demonic influence to go. We do not need to entertain or negotiate with the enemy; instead, we stand in our identity in Christ, knowing that the devil is under our feet and that we are seated with Christ in heavenly places. As we activate the truth of God’s Word in our lives, we experience greater freedom and victory, not only for ourselves but for our families and communities. [40:06]

Luke 10:19 (ESV)
Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.

Reflection: Where do you need to exercise your God-given authority today? What is one situation or area where you can speak God’s Word and command the enemy to go?

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