All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”
Numbers 14 : 2 – 9 Anyone else feeling overwhelmed by your lives right now? Tests are starting, the semester is moving along, and life is not getting any easier. Between InterVarsity, school, friendships, and family I’m feeling it. Life is overwhelming and that is just in my little world!
Looking at the evil present in our world can feel so far away and so impossible to change. I barely have it together enough to control my own evil, how can I make an impact in the evils in our world! The Israelites in the story saw the evil in the world and wanted to run away. Their hero, Caleb, saw an opportunity to stand up to the evil.
We are correct when we say that the world’s evils are huge and we are tiny. But don’t we believe in a huge God? One that protects us, takes care of us, and knows what’s best for us? It’s so easy for us to forget about God’s promises. But good news! God is not calling you, he is calling all of us as a community. We all have the choice to be a big part of a really small story or a small part of a huge story that will redeem the world.
Are you willing to say yes to what God has called you to? If life is overwhelming right now, how can you give that to God?
As heroes, we are not allowed to run from evil. Where we go, Jesus comes, and when Jesus comes, evil flees. We have great power, and as you all know “with great power comes great responsibility.”
-Rachael
