YOU ARE NOT A GRASSHOPPER!

Have you ever found a promise in the Word of God that seemed extreme, or beyond what you believe you are capable of? Has God ever directed you to do something, but you assessed that you are not equipped for the task or prepared to do it? Have you ever been overcome by problems or challenges you have faced? You are not alone! Scripture is filled with inadequate people who have done extraordinary things!

God had confirmed that He was giving the Israelites a wonderful land for them to possess. The land was rich and fertile, just waiting for them to take possession. It was called the land of Canaan. God directed Moses to send men from each tribe of Israel to spy out the land (Numbers 13:2). The men went as they were directed. They even retrieved one cluster of grapes so large that it had to be carried between two poles, figs, and pomegranates (Numbers 13:23). Returning from their mission, they confirmed that the land was “flowing with milk and honey” (Numbers 13:27). However, ….

Their report also confirmed that the land was inhabited by giants (Numbers 13:32,33). “We are not able to go up against these people, for they are stronger than we” (Numbers 13:31). They viewed themselves as grasshoppers compared to the giants in the land (Numbers 13:33). The spies were caught in the trap of looking away from what God said and looking at the circumstances instead. They were caught in the trap of being distracted away from the Word of God, which was everlasting and filled with power, and instead, magnified the problem that they judged to be much greater. They were deceived! This caused an emotional response that resulted in grumbling and complaining against God (Numbers 14:2). Their words spoke against the Lord, against His promises, and revealed the condition of their hearts (Matthew 12:34). Instead of focusing on the promise, by looking away from God, they pushed Peace (God) aside and gazed at the perceived threat that grew larger in their sight. God would have kept them in perfect peace if they kept focused on what He said, trusting Him (Isaiah 26:3).

• When you look away from what God says, when you are distracted from Jesus, negative emotions flow, and the words of your mouth reflect those negative emotions. Suddenly, you are overcome in a trap that the enemy has designed for you. All the while, the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, remains present with you, but you are unable to experience Him and His gift of peace. He will always encourage you and call you back to gaze upon Him so He can change your circumstances.

Caleb, one of the spies who believed the promise of God regarding the land, tried to encourage the others. “Let us go up at once and possess it; for we are well able to conquer it” (Amp Numbers 13:30). He saw the same things as the other spies did, but he believed God! Caleb figured if God was giving them the land, He made provision for them to be equipped to take it. Based on what God said, Caleb proclaimed, “The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey’” (Numbers 14:7,8). Because Caleb was seeing with the eyes of faith, he was secure in the promise and saw the land as theirs. He saw them as strengthened in the Lord to take possession, no matter what giants were present. Caleb confirmed, “Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their defense and the shadow (of protection) is removed from over them, but the Lord is with us. Fear them not” (Numbers 14:9).

• There is a clear difference when you believe the Word of God and see things from His perspective. Your emotions are different, and so are the words of your mouth. A confidence rises in you, as you believe you are sufficient in the Lord according to what He has promised and called you to. You are not sufficient in yourself, but your sufficiency is from the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:5). With this truth of understanding, you can confirm that the problem is not bigger than you because of God’s sufficiency to you.

• It is important to know Who you belong to and Whose ability you possess. The Greater One, the Mighty and Able One, is united with you through your spirit, which is one with the Spirit of God. That means you possess His sufficiency.

God informs us by His Word: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). His strength is effective in your weakness (Amplified).

“It pleased (the Father) that all the divine fullness (the sum total of divine perfections, powers, and attributes) should dwell in Jesus” (Amp Colossians 1:19). And you are one with Him, possessing all that He is!

You may feel inadequate for a situation, considering the difficulty of the problems you may be experiencing, but a quick turning of your attention to Jesus, believing the Word, will show you His ability and your sufficiency from Him. Decide to do the following:

• Actively trust Him: praising, worshipping, and seeking Him.

• Live with patient endurance, and steady and active persistence, not being distracted from Him.

• Be confident in His promises, believing what He says. Be expectant because He said it.

• Don’t be self-confident, but God-confident, humbling yourself and casting your cares on Him. Remain steadfast and well-balanced in Him, on the foundation of His Word.

• Love the Lord your God with all your heart, trusting in His promises and provision for you as His beloved child.

Partner with God through Jesus by the Holy Spirit. Do life together with Him! Be ‘all in’, abiding in the Holy One. Take your position as His dearly loved child. Be an active participant in His Word, in relationship with Him; draw near to Him. Don’t be overcome by this world and its problems. God made you an overcomer (1 John 5:3-5). Be confident in hope. Don’t let feelings of inadequacy dictate to you. With Christ, you can do all things He has called you to do; “you are ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into you” (Amp Philippians 4:13)!