Look at the grapes, Not the giants - Kathy Jernigan

The story of the spies sent into Canaan is a powerful reminder of the choice we face every day: to focus on the giants or the grapes. The land was indeed good, just as God had promised—a land flowing with milk and honey. Yet, most of the spies returned with a fearful report, seeing only the giants and fortified cities, forgetting the faithfulness and promises of God. Caleb, however, saw the abundance and remembered what God had already spoken. He urged the people to trust, to move forward, and to take possession of what God had given.

Fear, doubt, and unbelief are giants that still confront us. They can cause us to lose sight of God’s promises and stir up rebellion in our hearts, just as they did for Israel. The Israelites’ refusal to trust led to wandering and loss, but God’s grace was still present—He pardoned, even as He disciplined. We, too, are often tempted to focus on our problems, to wish for the comfort of the past, or to be overwhelmed by the size of our challenges. Yet, God calls us to remember His faithfulness, to look at the “grapes”—the evidence of His goodness and provision.

Throughout Scripture, we see men and women who faced their own giants: Moses at the Red Sea, Joshua at the Jordan, Esther before the king, Gideon in the winepress, Abraham and Sarah stepping into the unknown. Each had to take a step of faith, often without knowing the outcome, trusting that God would be with them. Their stories remind us that God is bigger than any obstacle, and that He honors those who trust Him enough to move forward.

In our own lives, giants may take the form of health issues, financial struggles, broken relationships, or deep fears. The enemy wants us to focus on these, to be paralyzed by anxiety and doubt. But God’s Word is full of promises: He is our healer, our provider, our peace, and our strength. When we keep our eyes on Him—when we look at the grapes instead of the giants—He brings us through. Even when faith is hard, we can pray, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” God is faithful to sustain us, to hold us with His righteous right hand, and to bring us into the fullness of His promises.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Focus on God’s Promises, Not the Giants When challenges loom large, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by fear and doubt. But God calls us to remember His promises and focus on the evidence of His goodness. Like Caleb, we must look at the grapes—the blessings and faithfulness of God—rather than the giants that intimidate us. This shift in focus strengthens our faith and enables us to move forward in obedience. [00:20]
• 2. Faith Requires Action, Even When Uncertain Throughout Scripture, God’s people had to take the first step before seeing the outcome. Whether it was Noah building the ark, Abraham leaving his homeland, or Esther approaching the king, faith meant moving forward in trust. We are called to take that step, even when the details are unclear, believing that God will meet us as we go. [22:03]
• 3. God’s Grace Remains in Our Weakness Even when we falter, God’s grace and mercy are available. The Israelites’ failure to trust led to consequences, but God still pardoned them when Moses interceded. In our own struggles with fear, doubt, or unbelief, we can return to God, ask for forgiveness, and find that He is always ready to restore and guide us. [05:03]
• 4. Gratitude and Right Focus Sustain Us When we’re tempted to be anxious or discouraged, Scripture calls us to meditate on what is true, noble, and praiseworthy. Giving thanks in the midst of trials shifts our perspective and opens our hearts to God’s peace. By focusing on the good—on the grapes—we find strength to persevere and trust God’s provision. [27:24]
• 5. Take Every Step with Jesus at the Center Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. Keeping our eyes on Him, rather than on our circumstances, gives us courage to face whatever comes. He holds us with His righteous right hand and promises never to leave us. Every step we take in faith is a step with Him, and He will bring us through. [25:55]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:20] - Caleb’s Perspective: Grapes or Giants
• [01:29] - The Bad Report and Its Impact
• [02:46] - Israel’s Rebellion and Despair
• [03:30] - Joshua and Caleb’s Plea
• [04:06] - God’s Response and Moses’ Intercession
• [05:03] - Consequences and God’s Mercy
• [07:30] - Facing the Giants of Fear and Doubt
• [08:58] - Peter’s Doubt and Jesus’ Rescue
• [10:06] - God is Bigger Than Our Giants
• [11:33] - Health, Healing, and God’s Promises
• [12:36] - Financial Struggles and God’s Provision
• [14:05] - Personal Testimony: Looking at the Grapes
• [16:43] - Relationship Challenges and Forgiveness
• [18:54] - Stepping Out in Faith: Biblical Examples
• [22:03] - Esther, Gideon, and Taking the First Step
• [25:55] - Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
• [27:24] - Meditating on the Good
• [28:38] - Final Encouragement and Blessing

**Small Group Bible Study Guide: Grapes or Giants?**

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### Bible Reading

**Numbers 13:25–14:10 (ESV)**
> 25 At the end of forty days they returned from spying out the land. 26 And they came to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the people of Israel in the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh. They brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. 27 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. 28 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. 29 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.”
>
> 30 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.” 31 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.” 32 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. 33 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.”
>
> 1 Then all the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night. 2 And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! 3 Why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4 And they said to one another, “Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”
>
> 5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the people of Israel. 6 And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. 8 If the LORD delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. 9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them.” 10 Then all the congregation said to stone them with stones. But the glory of the LORD appeared at the tent of meeting to all the people of Israel.

**Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)**
> Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

**Hebrews 12:2 (ESV)**
> Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

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### Observation Questions

1. What was the main difference between the report given by Caleb and Joshua and the report given by the other spies? (Numbers 13:30–33; [00:20])
2. According to the sermon, what did the Israelites want to do after hearing the bad report from the ten spies? ([02:17])
3. In Isaiah 41:10, what promises does God make to those who are afraid? ([07:55])
4. What does Hebrews 12:2 say about how we should respond when we face hard things? ([25:55])

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think most of the spies focused on the giants and the problems, while Caleb and Joshua focused on God’s promise and the good things in the land? ([00:20])
2. The Israelites wanted to go back to Egypt when things got hard. What does this reveal about their trust in God, and how does this relate to our own tendency to want the “comfort of the past”? ([02:17])
3. The sermon mentions that fear, doubt, and unbelief are “giants” we still face today. Why do you think these are so powerful in keeping us from moving forward in faith? ([07:30])
4. The preacher shared that even when we fail, God’s grace is still available. How does this truth affect the way we deal with our own moments of fear or doubt? ([05:03])

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### Application Questions

1. Think about a current challenge or “giant” in your life (health, finances, relationships, fear, etc.). Are you more focused on the “giants” or the “grapes”—the problems or the evidence of God’s goodness? What would it look like to shift your focus? ([14:05])
2. The sermon talked about taking a step of faith even when the outcome is uncertain, like Noah building the ark or Esther going before the king. Is there a step of faith you feel God is asking you to take right now? What is holding you back? ([22:03])
3. When you feel overwhelmed by fear or doubt, what practical things can you do to remember God’s promises and faithfulness? Are there specific verses or habits that help you? ([26:57])
4. The preacher shared a personal story about financial struggles and choosing to “look at the grapes.” Can you share a time when you had to trust God’s provision even when things looked impossible? What did you learn? ([14:56])
5. In relationships, the sermon encouraged us to pursue peace and forgiveness, even when it’s hard. Is there someone you need to forgive or seek peace with? What is one step you can take this week? ([17:05])
6. Hebrews 12:2 says to keep our eyes on Jesus. Is there a specific distraction or worry that keeps you from focusing on Him? What is one thing you can do this week to keep your focus on Jesus? ([25:55])
7. The sermon mentioned praying, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” When was the last time you prayed this kind of honest prayer? How did God meet you in that moment? ([09:33])