Trusting God's Promises Amidst Life's Giants

Summary

In today's message, I shared a personal story about my journey to faith, which began with an invitation to church from my now-wife, Kim. This story set the stage for a deeper exploration of faith and trust in God's promises, even when our circumstances seem overwhelming. Reflecting on Numbers 13, we examined the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land and how their fear and disbelief overshadowed God's promises. Despite witnessing God's miracles, the Israelites allowed their perception of the giants in the land to overshadow the truth of God's word. This narrative serves as a mirror for our own lives, where we often let what we see dictate our faith, rather than standing firm on what God has said.

The story of the spies sent to scout the land of Canaan illustrates a critical lesson: the majority report, based on fear and disbelief, can often drown out the minority report of faith and trust. Caleb and Joshua, the minority, stood firm on God's promise, urging the people to trust in God's provision and power. This call to be a "minority report" type of people is a challenge for us today. We are encouraged to trust in God's word over our own perceptions and fears, to be courageous in our faith, and to support our leaders as they guide us in God's direction.

In our modern context, we are bombarded with fear-driven narratives that can easily lead us astray. Yet, we are reminded that our faith should not be swayed by what we see or feel, but anchored in the truth of God's promises. God has never failed His people, and He will not start now. As we face our own giants and fortified cities, we must remember that God is with us, fighting on our behalf. Our challenge is to trust in His word, to be a people of faith, and to move forward with courage, knowing that what God has said is greater than what we see.

Key Takeaways:

- Faith Over Sight: Like the Israelites, we often let what we see overshadow what God has promised. Our senses can deceive us, but God's word remains the ultimate truth. We must cultivate eyes of faith that trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem daunting. [10:43]

- The Power of a Minority Report: Caleb and Joshua exemplified faith by standing firm on God's promises despite the majority's fear-driven report. We are called to be like them, trusting in God's word over our own perceptions and supporting our leaders as they guide us in faith. [15:52]

- Fear as a Contagion: Fear can spread rapidly and influence our decisions, often leading us away from God's path. We must recognize fear for what it is and choose to trust in God's promises, knowing that He fights our battles and leads us to victory. [17:54]

- God's Unfailing Promises: Throughout history, God has never failed His people. Our faith should not be based on what we see or feel but on the unwavering truth of God's word. He is with us, providing strength and guidance through every trial. [23:28]

- Flipping the Script: We are challenged to shift our perspective from what we see to what God has said. By focusing on His promises, we can overcome fear and disbelief, becoming a people of faith who trust in God's plan for our lives. [26:43]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:50] - Personal Journey to Faith
- [04:15] - Trusting God's Direction
- [04:53] - The Israelites' Journey
- [07:15] - The Promised Land Report
- [10:43] - Seeing vs. Believing
- [11:38] - The Power of Perception
- [13:15] - Eyes of Faith
- [14:51] - God's Assurance
- [15:52] - Minority Report of Faith
- [17:19] - Fear and Faith
- [17:54] - Fear as a Contagion
- [20:07] - Exaggerating the Giants
- [20:58] - Grasshoppers and Giants
- [23:28] - God's Unfailing Promises
- [24:52] - Strength in Weakness
- [26:43] - Flipping the Script

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Numbers 13:1-33

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the initial purpose of sending the spies into the land of Canaan according to Numbers 13? How did their report differ from God's promise? [07:15]

2. In the sermon, the pastor shared a personal story about his journey to faith. How did this story relate to the theme of trusting God's promises over our perceptions? [02:50]

3. What were the two significant locations the spies visited, and why were they important in the context of the Israelites' history? [07:15]

4. How did Caleb and Joshua's perspective differ from the majority of the spies, and what was their response to the report about the land? [15:52]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the story of the spies in Numbers 13 illustrate the concept of "faith over sight"? What does this mean for believers today? [10:43]

2. The pastor mentioned that fear can be contagious. How does this idea manifest in the story of the Israelites, and what are the implications for modern believers? [17:54]

3. Caleb and Joshua are described as having a "minority report" of faith. What does it mean to be a "minority report" type of person in today's world? [15:52]

4. The sermon emphasized God's unfailing promises. How does the narrative in Numbers 13 reinforce the reliability of God's word despite challenging circumstances? [23:28]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when your perception of a situation overshadowed God's promises. How did you navigate that experience, and what would you do differently now? [04:53]

2. Fear is often used as a tool in media and marketing. How can you identify and combat fear-driven narratives in your daily life to maintain a focus on God's promises? [17:54]

3. Caleb and Joshua stood firm in their faith despite opposition. How can you support and encourage your church leaders as they guide the congregation in faith? [15:52]

4. The pastor shared a personal story about his journey to faith. How can sharing your own faith journey with others help reinforce your trust in God's promises? [02:50]

5. Consider the "giants" or challenges you are currently facing. How can you apply the lesson of trusting in God's word over your own perceptions to these situations? [10:43]

6. The sermon challenged listeners to "flip the script" from what they see to what God has said. What practical steps can you take this week to focus more on God's promises than on your circumstances? [26:43]

7. How can you cultivate "eyes of faith" that are locked into God's word, especially when faced with uncertainty or fear? [13:15]

Devotional

Day 1: Faith Beyond Sight
In life, we often find ourselves overwhelmed by the challenges and obstacles that seem insurmountable. Just as the Israelites faced giants in the Promised Land, we too encounter situations that test our faith. The key is to remember that God's promises are greater than our circumstances. Our senses can deceive us, leading us to doubt and fear, but God's word remains the ultimate truth. By cultivating eyes of faith, we can trust in His promises, even when the path ahead seems daunting. This requires a conscious effort to shift our focus from what we see to what God has said, allowing His truth to guide our steps. [10:43]

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7, ESV)

Reflection: What is one situation in your life where you are currently relying more on what you see than on God's promises? How can you begin to shift your perspective today?

Day 2: The Courage of a Minority Report
The story of Caleb and Joshua teaches us the power of standing firm in faith, even when the majority is driven by fear and disbelief. These two men trusted in God's promises and urged the Israelites to do the same, despite the overwhelming negative report from the other spies. In our own lives, we are often faced with fear-driven narratives that can lead us astray. Yet, we are called to be like Caleb and Joshua, trusting in God's word over our own perceptions and supporting our leaders as they guide us in faith. This requires courage and a steadfast commitment to God's truth, even when it goes against the prevailing opinion. [15:52]

"But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it." (Numbers 14:24, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a time when you were part of a minority in standing for what you believed was right. How did you handle it, and what can you learn from Caleb and Joshua's example to apply in future situations?

Day 3: Recognizing Fear as a Contagion
Fear is a powerful emotion that can spread rapidly and influence our decisions, often leading us away from God's path. The Israelites allowed their fear of the giants to overshadow God's promises, resulting in a lack of trust and obedience. In our modern context, we are constantly bombarded with fear-driven narratives that can easily lead us astray. It is crucial to recognize fear for what it is and choose to trust in God's promises, knowing that He fights our battles and leads us to victory. By doing so, we can overcome fear and move forward with confidence in God's plan for our lives. [17:54]

"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." (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a fear that has been influencing your decisions recently. How can you confront this fear with the truth of God's promises today?

Day 4: Trusting in God's Unfailing Promises
Throughout history, God has never failed His people. The Israelites witnessed His miracles time and again, yet they struggled to trust in His promises when faced with challenges. Our faith should not be based on what we see or feel but on the unwavering truth of God's word. He is with us, providing strength and guidance through every trial. As we face our own giants and fortified cities, we must remember that God is with us, fighting on our behalf. Our challenge is to trust in His word, to be a people of faith, and to move forward with courage, knowing that what God has said is greater than what we see. [23:28]

"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations." (Deuteronomy 7:9, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when God has been faithful in your life. How can this memory strengthen your trust in His promises today?

Day 5: Flipping the Script
We are challenged to shift our perspective from what we see to what God has said. By focusing on His promises, we can overcome fear and disbelief, becoming a people of faith who trust in God's plan for our lives. This requires a deliberate effort to align our thoughts and actions with God's truth, rather than being swayed by our circumstances. As we do so, we can experience the peace and confidence that comes from knowing that God is in control and that His plans for us are good. Let us be intentional in flipping the script, choosing faith over fear, and trusting in God's unfailing promises. [26:43]

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:2, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to flip the script from fear to faith? What practical steps can you take today to focus on God's promises instead of your circumstances?

Quotes

1. "I'll tell you a little bit about me. I've got a picture of my family. This is my family here. That's my wife, Kim, my son, Caleb, daughter, Madeline, and Kennedy. We've been married, believe it or not, going on 26 years. And when I met my wife, thank you, I appreciate that. Marriage is hard. And I met her when I was 19, wasn't a Christian, in college, waiting tables on the weekends. She had moved from New Mexico to Houston, hated Houston, wanted to get back. So she was waiting tables. Our first day was together. And man, I knew, I was like, she's awesome. But she wouldn't have anything to do with me. She's moving back. And so what's a guy to do? You just turn up the smolder, keep trying more and more. And she just, nothing worked. Like, what are you doing Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday? Finally, like, listen, what are you doing Sunday? She's like, well, I'm going to church. Do you want to go to church? I was like, yeah. She's like, are you a Christian? I said, is that good? She said, yeah. I was like, sure, absolutely." [00:01:48] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "And so growing up in Houston, like if you've never been, it's a massive metroplex, eight, nine million people, eight lane highways. It's so hot and so sticky and so much traffic. I think on Friday nights, the Holy Spirit's like, I'm out. Just you're on your own. It's just, it's crazy. And so we were going across town and it was just bumper to bumper. But I knew the back roads. I lived there for 40 years. I knew how to get around. I knew what I was doing. And I'm driving, turning and driving and turning. And my little daughter, she's probably three or four in the back seat at this moment. She looks at me and she's like, Dad, do you know where you're going? Yeah, baby, I know where I'm going. I'm weaving and I'm turning. She's like, Dad, do you know where you're going? Baby, I know where I'm going. Dad, yeah, baby, I think you're lost." [00:03:37] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "And there's so many times in life, we as followers of Jesus, as Christians, like what we see feels greater than what God said. And in those moments, I have to remind myself, man, I'm like a little kid in the back seat. I'm like, Dad, do you know where you're going? There's nothing new. It's in fact been the history of God's people. You're going to see this exact same thing in Numbers chapter 13. Open your Bibles to Numbers chapter 13." [00:04:53] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "God wants to give his people a glimpse of the promised land. He wants them to see how good it is and see what he's promised. So he tells Moses, select one person from each of the 12 tribes, 12 men recognized as leaders, go check out the land, get a report, and bring back. Tell us how good the land is. They weren't going to look at the real estate market. They weren't going to check out the schools. They weren't going to check out the government. They weren't caring about what the interest rates were. Just go see the land. And they did. And they spent 40 days checking it out. And on the way back, I want to point out two places where they stopped. Number one, if you look in verse 22, they stopped in Hebron, which is a very significant place. That's where the bones of their ancestors" [00:07:15] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And here is some of its what fruit what was the fruit and the grapes the ash coal so they're like moses man this land is a really good land look at what god has provided it's really something god's so good and you would expect if you keep reading that they're going to be celebrating it's a praise party about to break out but it all comes to a crashing halt with with just one word one word look at verse 28 what's the word milk and honey and fruit however are we not some however type of people Come on, don't be so holy." [00:09:06] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "What they saw overshadowed what God had said. And quite often people would say, hey, seeing, that's believing. But in this case, seeing was actually disbelieving because what they saw was greater than what God said. I know what God said, but let me tell you what I saw. Oh, listen, our senses can often seem stronger than what God said. They're like, I know he said he's going to provide us. I know he said he's going to protect us. But wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Let me tell you what we saw." [00:11:02] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "And God knew these people groups lived there. They're like, go back and look at Genesis 15 when he ratified his covenant with Abraham. He listened. He listed every name that they just listed as a potential enemy. And he said, it doesn't matter. I'm giving you the land. I'm going to poof, take them out, and I'm going to poof, put you there. God already knew that. But now, well, now we've got a majority report on our hand. There's all these people in the land. It's never going to happen. And maybe you missed this because I summarized the first 26 verses." [00:14:00] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Our faith, your faith, it can't rise and fall based on what you see or feel. Because truth has never and will never be based on what we see or feel. Truth has always been based on what God said. And God has never, never once failed his people. Yeah, but Wade, you don't, you don't know what I see. I know what he said." [00:15:06] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "There were 12 and 10 said, no way. But a minority report of two said, I know what God said. And I want to challenge this. I want to challenge this. I want to challenge this. I want to challenge this. I want to challenge this church to be full of minority report type of people. I want you to support your pastor. Follow the Lord. Lean in. Be a minority report type of people. I don't care what we saw. I don't, I know what God said. We're going. We're marching forward in faith. The world needs a group of people courageous and eager to follow the Lord no matter what it takes." [00:15:52] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "And what your senses reveal to you is not always true because we have limited vision. We don't see clearly. The Bible says we're pilgrims and sojourners. We don't have God's vantage point. And so they discouraged the people from ever going. The majority carried the day except for two, Joshua and Caleb. The majority carried the day and they didn't go. It shook their confidence." [00:20:20] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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