Every fall, plants like ragweed irritate my son’s sinuses. One night, his symptoms became so severe I thought he should see a doctor. Our family had just recovered from months of serious health issues, and I was so discouraged I didn’t even want to pray. My husband, however, found hope in all that God had already helped us through. He prayed for direction. Shortly after, with the help of medicine, our son’s condition improved.
Though some of their companions were discouraged, Caleb and Joshua also showed hope and optimism after scouting out the land of Canaan (Numbers 14:6-9). God had promised the area to Israel, and Caleb said, “We should . . . take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it” (13:30). The others felt it was impossible, that the Canaanites were too powerful and their cities too well fortified (vv. 28, 31-33).
These were serious challenges, but Caleb’s faith rested on God’s past faithfulness to His people in their struggles. God’s people did eventually conquer Canaan, and Caleb received his share because he had followed Him “wholeheartedly” (Joshua 14:9).
Many situations feel hopeless, but for those who know God and believe in His faithfulness, there’s always a reason for hope as we trust His power and grace to carry us through.
How do you think God responds to your prayers when you’re discouraged, overwhelmed, or fearful? How does it help to know that He’s for you?
Dear God, please let courage and hope flow from my relationship with You to inspire others to turn to You when life is hard.
The negative report of the ten faithless spies must have created quite a commotion within the Israelite camp. We read that Caleb “silenced the people before Moses” (Numbers 13:30). The silence didn’t last. A mass protest soon broke out. “That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud” (14:1). There was serious talk of returning to the land of their enslavement (v. 4). God’s response was stern. None of the adults, save for the two faithful spies—Caleb and Joshua—would enter the promised land. Why? Because the people had disbelieved God by thinking He couldn’t bring them into the land He’d promised to give them. Caleb and Joshua, however, placed their hope and trust in Him.
