Life often feels like a series of crossroads—moments where we must choose between faith and fear, trust and doubt. Numbers 14:7-8 captures one such moment in the history of God’s people. Joshua and Caleb, standing against the tide of fear sweeping through the Israelites, boldly declared their trust in God’s promises. Their words echo across time, urging us to make the same choice today: Decide to trust.
Numbers 14:7-8 King James Version
And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.8 If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.
The Courage of Joshua and Caleb
The backdrop of Numbers 14 is one of tension and hesitation. The Israelites had reached the edge of the Promised Land, a place they had longed for since their exodus from Egypt. Yet, when twelve spies were sent to scout the land, ten returned with a report that paralyzed the community with fear. They spoke of fortified cities and giants that made them feel like grasshoppers in comparison (Numbers 13:31-33). Only Joshua and Caleb saw things differently.
Their report wasn’t blind optimism; they acknowledged the challenges but chose to focus on God’s faithfulness rather than their fears. “The land we passed through is exceedingly good,” they proclaimed, reminding the people that God’s promises were trustworthy. They urged their fellow Israelites not to rebel against God or let fear dictate their actions (Numbers 14:9). Their faith stood in stark contrast to the despair around them, highlighting an essential truth: faith sees opportunities where fear sees obstacles.
Faith vs. Fear: A Timeless Struggle
The story of Joshua and Caleb is not just an ancient tale; it mirrors our own struggles today. How often do we stand on the brink of something new—a career change, a relationship decision, a step into ministry—only to be held back by fear? Like the Israelites, we may fixate on what could go wrong rather than trusting in what God has promised to make right.
Fear has a way of magnifying our problems while minimizing God’s power. It whispers lies that paralyze us: You’re not strong enough. You’re not equipped. What if you fail? But faith counters with a louder truth: God is with you. His strength is sufficient. He has already gone before you. As Joshua and Caleb demonstrated, trusting God doesn’t mean ignoring challenges; it means believing that His power is greater than our limitations.
God’s Patience Amid Our Doubts
What stands out in Numbers 14 is not just Joshua and Caleb’s faith but also God’s patience with His people. Despite their rebellion and lack of trust, God did not abandon them. When Moses interceded on their behalf, God forgave them, though there were consequences for their unbelief (Numbers 14:20-23). This balance between justice and mercy reveals a profound truth about God’s character: He is both holy and compassionate.
For us today, this means that even when we falter in our trust, God remains faithful. His plans are not derailed by our doubts; instead, He works through them to refine us. Like the Israelites, we may face delays or detours because of our fear, but God’s promises remain steadfast.
Lessons for Modern Life
Joshua and Caleb’s story offers practical lessons for navigating our own seasons of uncertainty:
- Anchor Yourself in God’s Promises: Just as they focused on the goodness of the land God had promised, we too must fix our eyes on His Word. Scriptures like Jeremiah 29:11 (“For I know the plans I have for you…”) remind us that His plans are always for our good.
- Surround Yourself with Faithful Voices: Joshua and Caleb stood together against overwhelming opposition. Who are your “Calebs”? Surround yourself with people who encourage your faith rather than feed your fears.
- Take Action Despite Uncertainty: Faith often requires stepping out before all the details are clear. Whether it’s forgiving someone who hurt you or pursuing a calling that feels beyond your abilities, trust grows as we act on it.
Jesus: The Fulfillment of Trust
The courage displayed by Joshua and Caleb points us forward to Jesus Christ—the ultimate example of trust in God’s plan. Where humanity often faltered in faith, Jesus remained steadfast, even unto death on a cross (Philippians 2:8). Through His sacrifice, He secured for us an eternal “Promised Land” far greater than Canaan—a life reconciled to God.
When we struggle with doubt or fear, we can look to Jesus as both our example and our source of strength. He invites us to cast our burdens on Him (Matthew 11:28-30) and promises never to leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). In Him, we find not only the courage to trust but also the grace to persevere when our faith wavers.
Reflection Questions
- What fears are currently holding you back from stepping into what God has promised?
- How can you cultivate a habit of focusing on God’s faithfulness rather than your circumstances?
- Who in your life encourages you to trust God more deeply? How can you be that person for someone else?
Read More About This Devotional
Words of Wisdom: Trust: Anchoring Your Heart in God’s Faithfulness
Quote of the Day: “Where You See a Difficulty, God Sees an Opportunity to Promote You”
A Closing Encouragement
Deciding to trust is rarely easy—it requires courage, vulnerability, and surrender. But as Joshua and Caleb remind us, it is always worth it. The Promised Land may lie just beyond your current fears or uncertainties; will you step forward in faith?
God’s plans for you are “exceedingly good.” Whether you’re facing giants in your career, relationships, or personal struggles, remember that He goes before you. Trust Him with your next step—and watch as He leads you into a life flowing with His abundance.
Take heart today: The same God who was faithful to Joshua and Caleb is faithful still. Choose faith over fear—and step boldly into His promises.
Scripture Reading for the Day
Genesis 37 King James Version
1 And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan.
2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.
3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.
4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.
5 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.
6 And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:
7 For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.
8 And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.
9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?
11 And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.
12 And his brethren went to feed their father’s flock in Shechem.
13 And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I.
14 And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.
15 And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou?
16 And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks.
17 And the man said, They are departed hence; for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph went after his brethren, and found them in Dothan.
18 And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.
19 And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh.
20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.
21 And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him.
22 And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.
23 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him;
24 And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.
25 And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.
26 And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?
27 Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.
28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.
29 And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.
30 And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I, whither shall I go?
31 And they took Joseph’s coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood;
32 And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son’s coat or no.
33 And he knew it, and said, It is my son’s coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.
34 And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.
35 And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.
36 And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, and captain of the guard.
