"Surrounded by Giants"

I took this snapshot while on video call a month or so ago and had the thought hit me "Surrounded by Giants" as I looked at the grass around me.   Two months later my thought put into words. Hope you enjoy. 

Numbers 13:17-33 

The Israelites are standing at the edge of the Promised land, the land God promised to give them for their own, ready to reap the blessings and the treasures that lay in the land of Canaan. 

The 12 spies returned from exploring the land with a glowing report......the fruit was large and plenty and the land indeed “flowed with milk and honey”.  When they returned they reported that the land was just as God had promised but they observed that there were problems in the land as well.....the people were powerful, the cities    were protected and there were even giants in the land. Their observations led to negative....we can’t attack these people.....which led everyone to believe all the people are giants and for them to just forget the whole thing and go back to Egypt.  

Canaan in the Old Testament is a type of the kingdom of God, God’s rest and the peace found in His presence. The promise of the kingdom of God is given to every believer......but how often do we get right up to the edge of God’s peace, staring at the fruit of His rest, only to back away because of the giants living there. 

How many come right up to the edge of salvation, get a glimpse of the joys others express, feel the conviction of the Spirit in their hearts but pull away because the giant of the world calls louder to them.

How many come up to the edge of walking in total obedience to God, seeing the blessings of a joyful life and the rewards. But decide that the price is too costly and the time too demanding. 

It wasn’t the giants in the land that made them complain and grumble against God, neither is it the obstacles in our own Christian life that keep us from a fulfilling walk with Christ, it is the giants in the heart......the giants of unbelief, of fear and of complacency that really keep us from enjoying God’s peace and presence. 

Every Promised Land has its giants, every blessing has its challenges. When the rich man asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus answered, “Keep God’s commandments and sell all you have and come follow me.” 

The blessing of eternal life was met by the challenge of getting his priorities in order.