Giants vs Grapes

Let me first clarify by saying this post has nothing to do with the Giants vs Patriots in the Superbowl.

BUT, don't stop reading now, because it does have some great practical application you can use for your life.

In Numbers 13 and 14 we are given an account of how the Israelites let the size of the Giants discourage them from the size of the Grapes, thus preventing them from entering the Promise Land.

Here is the background: God told Moses to send out 12 men, a leader from each ancestral tribe to scout the land that He was giving to the people of Israel. So Moses sends out the 12 with directions to look over the land, and see what it is like. Assess the people: Are they strong or weak? Are they few or many? Observe the land: Is it pleasant or harsh? Describe the towns where they live: Are they open camps or fortified with walls? And the soil: Is it fertile or barren? Are there forests? And try to bring back a sample of the produce that grows there... this is the season for the first ripe grapes. With that they were on there way.

Notice out of all that Moses asks, he really only wants to know two things: 

1st: The people who occupied the land; And 2nd: The lay of the land and the produce that occupied it. 

As we read on we get details about their exploration of the Promise Land:
They arrived at the Eschol Valley and cut off a branch with a single cluster of grapes--it took two men to carry it--slung on a pole. After forty days of scouting the land they returned home. (Wow, those must have been some big grapes!)

Once they returned home they presented themselves and their findings before Moses and the whole congregation of the People of Israel and reported the story of their trip: We went to the land to which you sent us and, oh! It does flow with milk and honey! Just look at this fruit! (Here's where the discouragement creeps in) The only thing is that the people who live there are fierce, their cities are huge and well fortified. Worse yet, we saw the descendants of the Giant Anak. The congregation begins to uproar as they here about the giants! (Wow, those must have been some big giants!)

Caleb interrupted calling for silence and said: Let's go up and take the land now! We can do it! 

Then verses later Joshua joins in Caleb's claim saying: The land we walked through and scouted out is very good land--very good indeed. If God is pleased with us, He will lead us into that land, a land that flows, as they say, with milk and honey. And He'll give it to us. Just don't rebel against God! And don't be afraid of those people. We will devour them! They have no protection and God is on our side. Don't be afraid of them! -Numbers 14:6-9 MSG

Joshua and Caleb already had the Mind-Set on the Size and Reward of the Grapes! On the 'Promise' of the Land! Unlike all the others who focused more on the 'problem' of the land rather than the promise. 

Problem Mindset people say: Yeah, there are grapes BUT do you see the size of those Giants! 

They let the giants of their lives grow way bigger in comparison to the grapes in their lives. 

Promise Mindset people say: Yeah, there are giants BUT do you see the size of those Grapes! 

They let the size of the grapes in their lives tower over the opposition of the giants in their lives. 

WHAT A PRACTICAL APPLICATION! 

Joshua and Caleb were able to fulfill the will of God because of their faith.

Listen to their faith-filled words:
"He'll lead us into the land, and He give it to us. Just don't rebel against Him. Don't be afraid of the opposition. They have no protection and God is on OUR side! Don't be afraid! He will give us what He has promised, if He is pleased in us."  Numbers 14:6-9 [The Message]

Now listen to God's response:
"...because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to and his descendants will inherit it." -Numbers 14:24

"...not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home, except Caleb and Joshua..." -Numbers 14:30

It is impossible to please God without faith. (Hebrews 11:6)

Chances are when you are about to step into the "Promise Land" of your life Satan is going to bring opposition in many different shapes and sizes. More often than not, "the sign" to let us know we are about to walk into our land flowing of milk and honey are the giants.
So when opposition does appear in your life, (and it will) recognize it for the sign it is, "wholeheartedly" seek God, Release your Faith, and walk into your Reward!

Giants vs Grapes

Who is winning the battle in your life? 

You decide. 

Thanks for reading!

Blessings, 

Michael Paul