INTRODUCTORY THOUGHTS

As Moses recounted Israel’s time in the wilderness, he reminded God’s people of the reasons for their failure to enter into the land of promise. He rehearsed how it was the people who approached him requesting that spies first be sent into the land to explore it. If the people had trusted God, surveying the land would have been unnecessary. Yet, the people doubted God’s provisions so Moses sent in the spies. When they returned, they expressed stories of giants and walled cities that made the people fear to carry out God’s will. The spies’ report '"discouraged” (Deuteronomy 1:28Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.
See All...) the hearts of the people. This loss of courage yielded an unbelief in the people (Deuteronomy 1:32Yet in this thing ye did not believe the LORD your God,
See All...), greatly displeasing the Lord (Hebrews 3:17-19 [17] But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? [18] And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? [19] So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
See All...).

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children) God created the world and everything in it by simply speaking it into existence. Do you believe that He is powerful enough to help you do what He wants you to do?
• (For everyone) Do you struggle with being courageous? Do you wish you could better understand the reason for this weakness? Start by evaluating your faith in God’s word.
• Our passage shows that if Israel had trusted God, they would not have needed spies. Are there some things that you can recall that would be different in your life if you had simply trusted God? Has your lack of faith ever produced a lack of courage?

PRAYER THOUGHTS

• Ask God to help you avoid the evil sin of unbelief.
• Ask God to surround you with people who believe and trust in His word. Pray that God will give you strength to believe even when others choose not to believe.

SONG

‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

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