Good morning! The wonderful thing about a new year is the hope of doing something new, starting again, or opportunities to improve. Some people make new resolutions, some make plans, and others simply go with the flow. Today, we are exploring leadership from two angles- Moses and Caleb. Their leadership was unique because Moses spoke with God and led the people. Caleb responded to a task from Moses and responded in faith and bravery when other people spoke fear and doubt to the people. As you hear from the voice of God this year, my prayer is that you will respond like Caleb. Enjoy today’s devotion and prayer.

Bible Verses: Highlights from Numbers chapters 13 and 14 in the NLT version. If you have time, read both chapters.

“13: ²⁷ This was their report to Moses: “We entered the land you sent us to explore, and it is indeed a bountiful country—a land flowing with milk and honey. Here is the kind of fruit it produces. ²⁸ But the people living there are powerful, and their towns are large and fortified. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak! ²⁹ The Amalekites live in the Negev, and the Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites live in the hill country. The Canaanites live along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea^[a] and along the Jordan Valley.”

³⁰ But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!”

³¹ But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!” ³² So they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites: “The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge. ³³ We even saw giants^[b]  there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!””

“14: ⁵ Then Moses and Aaron fell face down on the ground before the whole community of Israel. ⁶ Two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore their clothing. ⁷ They said to all the people of Israel, “The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land! ⁸ And if the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey. ⁹ Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!”

¹⁰ But the whole community began to talk about stoning Joshua and Caleb. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to all the Israelites at the Tabernacle.^[a] 11 And the Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? Will they never believe me, even after all the miraculous signs I have done among them? “

“²² not one of these people will ever enter that land. They have all seen my glorious presence and the miraculous signs I performed both in Egypt and in the wilderness, but again and again they have tested me by refusing to listen to my voice. ²³ They will never even see the land I swore to give their ancestors. None of those who have treated me with contempt will ever see it. ²⁴ But my servant Caleb has a different attitude than the others have. He has remained loyal to me, so I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will possess their full share of that land.”

Brief Recap

There were 12 scouts that explored Canaan. Of the 12 only 2 believed enough to trust God when the odds appeared (visually) to be against them.

The fear that those 10 scouts put into the people’s heart had the people willing to pick another leader than Moses. They even contemplated stoning Joshua and Caleb.

God was even upset, “They have all seen my glorious presence and the miraculous signs I performed both in Egypt and in the wilderness, but again and again they have tested me by refusing to listen to my voice.“

But Joshua and Caleb saw God perform miracles and they new what God could do. In fact they said, “Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!“

Reflection

Sisters and brothers, the new year is here. God wants to speak with you. He wants you to hear His voice. Whether He has already given you an assignment or He is preparing you for a new one, He wants to lead you.

When the world tells you no. Or your friends fail to see what God has shown you. Keep listening to God’s voice and proceed with His leading. Don’t rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid- Keep trusting.

Will you believe? Will you allow Him to lead you?

Prayer

Dear God. Thank you for loving us with your unfailing love. Thank you for your mercy and grace over our lives. Thank you for blessing us to see this morning and reflect on your word, the examples of faith and leadership, and the importance of hearing your voice. Lord, thank you for sending your son Jesus to save us, redeem us, and rescue us. Forgive us of our sins (known and unknown) and help us to no longer crave those sinful things that try to separate us from you. Direct our thoughts and renew our minds. Lead us to wherever you would have us go. Guide us to do whatever you would have us do.

Lord, when the spirit of fear tries to reign in our lives, help us to remember that you are Sovereign. Help us to recognize and rebuke that spirit of fear in Jesus name. Help us to embrace the spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. Give us the wisdom and courage to pursue you and your plans for us. Lord, we don’t want to rebel from you. Increase our focus, initiative, and desire to follow you every day we are blessed to be on this earth. Help us to lead others as we follow and keep our eyes on you.

Lord, help us to lead others to you. Help us to remember all the miraculous things you’ve done before and to keep trusting that you will continue to do it again and again. Lord, don’t let us sit in despair or defeat – keep showing yourself faithful and true throughout the ends of the earth. Keep stretching our faith and strengthen us in You. In Jesus name we pray, amen.

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