Facing Giants

Text: Numbers 13:30-33, 14:1-24   IBCSS    June 21, 2009

Preacher: Pastor Jose B. Cabajar

       Facing and fighting giants could be an intimidating encounter for most of us, but for brave and goal-oriented people, it could be exciting and challenging. Literal or figurative giants truly remind us about goals and challenges that come on our way. Their unavoidable presence could set us off to accept the reality of life and handle them cautiously and courageously. We must keep in mind that accepting challenges is rewarding especially if found within the will of God.

       God wants us to be blessed and He gave precious promises for us to cling to; but often times, those blessings remain unclaimed because of our indifferent attitude toward His Word. In the Old Testament times, God promised Israel that He will give the land of Canaan for them to possess and enjoy. The place was described as “land flowing with milk and honey” and popularly called “The Promised Land”. (See Exodus 3:8)

       The Promised Land was within reach, and obviously, they could enter the land within a few days journey. But because of unbelief, they wandered in the wilderness for forty years and God dealt with them and taught them in a rigid way. God was so gracious that He gave them an opportunity to see a glimpse of the land. Moses sent spies to the land as God commanded them and the men went up, searched it and returned after forty days. (See Numbers 13:1-33) They came to Moses and the congregation confirming that the land surely flows with milk and honey, and they also brought some fruits of the land such as grapes, pomegranates and figs.

       Truly, the land was a prepared blessing to the Israelites. Caleb and Joshua were eager to posses it right away, but the ten spies brought evil report and discouraged the Israelites which led them to disobey God’s Word. Evidently, the presence of the giants in the land put them to a weakening fear. Time after time, God is giving us an opportunity to display His power and to prosper in an extraordinary way, but it seems that the intimidating presence of giants of life is still hindering most of us to receive wonderful blessings God has prepared for us. We should not let giants hinder us in attaining God-glorifying victories.

       Things to be considered in facing giants:

       Great opposition

       Numbers 14:1-4

       Through the ages, it has been observed that believers who set great goals for God’s glory sadly experienced opposition even from within their own circle. The presence of opposition may be manifested by murmurings, indifferent attitude and even violent actions. People who oppose God-impressed goal are not literal giants, but they are truly great hindrances in accomplishing God-glorifying works. That is exactly what happened during the time of Moses.

       In Numbers 14:1-4, it says, 1 And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. 2 And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! 3 And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? 4 And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt. (KJV) What a great opposition! Their negative attitude was unconcealed and they even tried to stone God’s faithful servants like Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Caleb. (See verse 10)

       Great opposition should not hinder our excitement to do what is right and pleasing to God. Giants of life are everywhere and those who really rely on God’s Word will never be intimidated of their presence because they know that they are on the Lord’s side.

       Great God is on our side.

        Titus 2:13    Psalm 95:3

       Internal fear

       Numbers 14:9

       Internal fear weakens man’s whole being. It blurs the vision of unbelieving people so they could not see good things ahead. It also leads people to unbelief, and consequently, they take the Word of God lightly and even question its trustworthiness.  In Numbers 14:9, it is written, Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not. (KJV) Blessed are those who truly believe God because they will surely enjoy serving Him and have good success.

      We should not let fear overcome us lest we become unproductive and the spreading of the Good News will be neglected. Set great goals for our Great God and don’t be dismayed of what you see. God will surely strengthen your inner man.

       Inner strength that comes from God is what we need in times of fear.

       Ephesians 3:16

       Awaited opportunity

       Numbers 14:5-8

       Believers should be sensitive to doors of opportunities so they may not miss their God-given privilege to serve the Lord in their prime of youth and strength. In Numbers 13:30, it says, And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. (KJV) Caleb was a man of faith and action and he encouraged the Israelites to move on and follow God’s command. We really need Caleb-like believers in our Local Churches today.

       In every opportunity, great hindrances may screen our determination and make us realize how serious we are in following the instruction of God. In I Corinthians 16:9-10, Paul said, 9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. 10 Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do. (KJV) These passages from the Bible remind us of the intimidating presence of the giants of life; but cheer up because the sufficient grace of God is always available for us to use any time and anywhere.        

       Advantageous position is given to us so we may use it for the glory of God.

        Romans 8:37

        Negative viewpoint

        Numbers 13:31-33

       Negative attitude toward God’s command keeps a man from attaining success. His way of thinking is not found within the will of God. In fact, it is against the way of truth and can never please God. In Numbers 13:31-33, it is written, 31 But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. 32 And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. 33 And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight. (KJV)

       The ten spies were easily cowed when they saw the giants. Their hearts and minds were troubled and they imagined themselves as grasshoppers before the sons of Anak. On the other hand, Joshua and Caleb were not afraid of the giants, but were ready to fight and possess the land because they trusted the Lord and His promises. Men of faith will never question the power and the Word of God.   

       New state of mind in Christ should be applied by Christians and not be overlooked.

       II Timothy 1:7 

        Test of obedience

        Numbers 14:9-22

       God tests the obedience of His children and sometimes He puts them into hard situation for that purpose. Many of the Israelites failed the tests and they suffered the consequences of their sins. In Numbers 14:22-23, it is written, 22 Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; 23 Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it: (KJV) What a sad consequence of disobedience triggered by unbelief.

       May God find us obedient every time He calls us for mission work. An obedient servant of God will never be afraid of anything because he has the assurance that God is on his side.

       Total obedience is what God wants to see in us.

       Acts 5:29

       Step of faith

       Numbers 14:24

       Steps of faith are delightful to God and he who walks by faith will be rewarded by the Lord. In numbers 14:24, It is written, But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it. (KJV) What a hope-giving assurance from God to an obedient servant like Caleb. No doubt, the Lord blessed Caleb with physical strength, material riches and spiritual blessings because he wholly followed the Lord throughout his days.

      Are you facing giants today? Are you scared of their presence? Don’t be afraid, look up to God and keep in mind that our God is far more powerful than all the giants of the world. Set great goals and you will be amazed of the unbelievable result. Your steps of faith will lead you to reach more milestone of success. And don’t forget to do everything for the glory of God.          

    Sure step is a notable mark of a just man who is walking by faith and not by sight.

    Proverbs 10:6-9