Trusting God - Wilderness Wanderings

Kadesh Barnea- Trust

A Lesson on Trust

Pastor Jeff

This morning want to talk about a story we find in

Numbers 11:5 … "We remember the fish which we used to eat free in Egypt, the cucumbers and the melons and the leeks and the onions and the garlic, … IN THE WILDERNESS they ate manna and quail and probably a small assortment of other things. CANAAN is the ultimate experience. IT’s green, good for planting crops, raising a family,… they are excited.

Who are God’s people - They are God’s chosen people - Israelites.

God chose Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 12:1–3).

Israel is called a holy nation, treasured possession, and kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:5–6; Deuteronomy 7:6).

They were not chosen because they were bigger, stronger, or more righteous — but purely because of God’s love and covenant promises (Deut. 7:7–8).

Their calling was to be a light to the nations (Isaiah 42:6; 49:6).

Context: Traveling in Wilderness

Numbers 11

The Israelites are about 1 year after leaving Egypt.

They have:

Left Mount Sinai, where they received the Law and built the Tabernacle (Numbers 10).

A High point - for them!

Begun their journey toward the Promised Land.

In Numbers 10:11–13, the cloud lifts and they set out from Sinai for the first time since arriving there.

By Numbers 11, they are in the wilderness, traveling between Mount Sinai and Kadesh Barnea.

What Happens in Numbers 11

Complaints about hardships

The people complain about their difficulties, and God sends fire on the outskirts of the camp.

Craving for meat

They are tired of manna and cry out for the food they had in Egypt.

They specifically remember fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic.

God’s response

God provides quail in overwhelming measure (so much it makes them sick).

He also strikes them with a plague for their grumbling.

Burden-sharing for Moses

Moses feels the leadership burden is too heavy.

God appoints 70 elders, and His Spirit rests on them to help bear the load.

Geographic Point

They are not yet at Kadesh Barnea (that comes in Numbers 13).

In Numbers 11, they are somewhere in the wilderness of Paran, moving northward after leaving Sinai.

👉 So, in Numbers 11, the Israelites are on the road — newly departed from Mount Sinai, traveling through the wilderness toward Kadesh Barnea, but not there yet.

STORY - Ever wish for something when you were somewhere else?

Ever leafed through an old photo album… good times gone by...

Reminiscing - Old Photo Album

Looking through an old photo album, you might see smiling faces of loved ones now gone or children now grown.

They were thinking back...

Funny thing was it wasn’t really “better” but in that moment they remembered the FOOD!

Numbers 13. A STORY that takes place IN KADESH-BARNEA.

A story from the History of Israel and the Israelites.

Israel is made up of Jews who come from the Israelites.

At one point they were enslaved by Pharoah. Moses comes along encounters God, gets a calling from God and frees his people.

YOU SEE After plagues, they left Egypt, crossed the river Jordan on dry ground often we think that was the beginning of the 40 year “wilderness wanderings”. It isn’t.

TIMELINE:

Exodus from Egypt

Cross the Red Sea

Journey through the Desert of Sin

Arrive at Mount Sinai

Receive the Law

Build the Tabernacle

Leave Mount Sinai

Travel toward Kadesh Barnea (about 2 years total journey)

Daily manna provided from heaven

Water from the rock

Pillar of cloud by day and fire by night guiding them

Arrive at Kadesh Barnea

Edge of the Promised Land

Numbers 13–14 (The Event Itself)

The Israelites arrive at Kadesh Barnea (about 2 years after leaving Egypt).

12 spies are sent to scout the land of Canaan.

They return with a report:

The land is good, fruitful (“a land flowing with milk and honey”).

But 10 of the spies say the people are giants and the cities are fortified.

The people rebel — they complain, weep, and refuse to enter.

Caleb and Joshua urge them to trust God, but the people want to stone them.

God judges them:

That generation will wander in the wilderness 40 years.

Only Caleb and Joshua will enter the land.

In Deuteronomy 1 Moses looking back summarizes.

Text Today is: DEUT 1

I’m going to read that passage as its a bit easier...

Deuteronomy 1 ESV

These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel beyond the Jordan in the wilderness... “At that time I said to you, ‘I am not able to bear you by myself. The Lord your God has multiplied you, and behold, you are today as numerous as the stars of heaven. May the Lord, the God of your fathers, make you a thousand times as many as you are and bless you, as he has promised you! How can I bear by myself the weight and burden of you and your strife? Choose for your tribes wise, understanding, and experienced men, and I will appoint them as your heads.’ And you answered me, ‘The thing that you have spoken is good for us to do.’ So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and experienced men, and set them as heads over you, commanders of thousands, commanders of hundreds, commanders of fifties, commanders of tens, and officers, throughout your tribes. And I charged your judges at that time, ‘Hear the cases between your brothers, and judge righteously between a man and his brother or the alien who is with him. You shall not be partial in judgment. You shall hear the small and the great alike. You shall not be intimidated by anyone, for the judgment is God’s. And the case that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it.’ And I commanded you at that time all the things that you should do. “Then we set out from Horeb and went through all that great and terrifying wilderness that you saw, on the way to the hill country of the Amorites, as the Lord our God commanded us. And we came to Kadesh-barnea. And I said to you, ‘You have come to the hill country of the Amorites, which the Lord our God is giving us. See, the Lord your God has set the land before you. Go up, take possession, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has told you. Do not fear or be dismayed.’ Then all of you came near me and said, ‘Let us send men before us, that they may explore the land for us and bring us word again of the way by which we must go up and the cities into which we shall come.’ The thing seemed good to me, and I took twelve men from you, one man from each tribe. And they turned and went up into the hill country, and came to the Valley of Eshcol and spied it out. And they took in their hands some of the fruit of the land and brought it down to us, and brought us word again and said, ‘It is a good land that the Lord our God is giving us.’ “Yet you would not go up, but rebelled against the command of the Lord your God. And you murmured in your tents and said, ‘Because the Lord hated us he has brought us out of the land of Egypt, to give us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us. Where are we going up? Our brothers have made our hearts melt, saying, “The people are greater and taller than we. The cities are great and fortified up to heaven. And besides, we have seen the sons of the Anakim there.” ’ Then I said to you, ‘Do not be in dread or afraid of them. The Lord your God who goes before you will himself fight for you, just as he did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness, where you have seen how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way that you went until you came to this place.’ Yet in spite of this word you did not believe the Lord your God, who went before you in the way to seek you out a place to pitch your tents, in fire by night and in the cloud by day, to show you by what way you should go. “And the Lord heard your words and was angered, and he swore, ‘Not one of these men of this evil generation shall see the good land that I swore to give to your fathers, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh. He shall see it, and to him and to his children I will give the land on which he has trodden, because he has wholly followed the Lord!’ Even with me the Lord was angry on your account and said, ‘You also shall not go in there. Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall enter. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it. And as for your little ones, who you said would become a prey, and your children, who today have no knowledge of good or evil, they shall go in there. And to them I will give it, and they shall possess it. But as for you, turn, and journey into the wilderness in the direction of the Red Sea.’ “Then you answered me, ‘We have sinned against the Lord. We ourselves will go up and fight, just as the Lord our God commanded us.’ And every one of you fastened on his weapons of war and thought it easy to go up into the hill country. And the Lord said to me, ‘Say to them, Do not go up or fight, for I am not in your midst, lest you be defeated before your enemies.’ So I spoke to you, and you would not listen; but you rebelled against the command of the Lord and presumptuously went up into the hill country. Then the Amorites who lived in that hill country came out against you and chased you as bees do and beat you down in Seir as far as Hormah. And you returned and wept before the Lord, but the Lord did not listen to your voice or give ear to you. So you remained at Kadesh many days, the days that you remained there.

At Kadesh Barnea

Geography & Location

Borderland City: Kadesh Barnea sat at the edge of the wilderness of Zin/Paran, on the southern border of Canaan (Numbers 13:26; 20:1; Deut. 1:19).

Oasis Region: It wasn’t just one well but a cluster of springs and valleys — a large enough oasis to sustain Israel’s encampment for long stretches.

Strategic Stop: From Kadesh, Israel could push directly north into Canaan. It was a gateway city, right at the threshold of promise.

🌴 Physical Features

Desert Surroundings: Much of the area was rugged, dry wilderness with harsh terrain.

Water Sources: Known for the spring at En-Mishpat (“spring of judgment”), later tied to the story of Moses striking the rock in Numbers 20.

Livable Camp: Because of its water and valleys, it was one of the few places large enough for a nation-sized camp.

Camping Out

Anyone ever gone camping?

Describe some good experiences?

What about some hot days… ever been camping when it was hot.

They camped in the middle of the desert.

Here they stayed

THEY STAYED THERE 609 days.

Do you know how many years that was?! 38 years  UNTIL they enter the promised land.

Their view of the promised land:

God’s plan didn’t include “38”.

Because of their grumbling and Lack of faith God sent them into the wilderness.

They are literally on the edge of greatness and they give into distrust in the God they serve. Their lack of trust results in a lack of faith.

They gave into fear.

Some of the people had the wrong God

They were Afraid

Have you ever been afraid of something?

 . She asked him to go into the pantryand get her a can of tomato soup, but he didn’t want to go in alone. “It’s dark in there and I’m scared.” She asked again, and he persisted. Finally she said, “It’s OK—Jesus will be in there with you.” Johnny  walked hesitantly to the door and slowly opened it. He peeked inside, saw it was dark, and started to leave when…

…  all at once an idea came, and he said: Jesus, if you’re in there, would you hand me that can of tomato soup?”

Fear of a Clown

Source: Reader’s Digest One woman ran into the Atlantic Ocean—despite not knowing how to swim—just to avoid a birthday-party clown on the beach.

Arachibutyrophobia – Fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth

Plutophobia – Fear of money or wealth

Optophobia – Fear of opening one’s eyes

Decidophobia – Fear of making decisions

Omphalophobia – Fear of belly buttons

Were the Fears Reasonable?

The Size of the People — Was It Real?

The spies report:

Details in the Spies’ Report

Fortified Cities

“The cities are fortified and very large.” (Num. 13:28)

Archaeology confirms that Canaanite cities (like Jericho, Hazor, and Hebron) had stone walls 20+ feet high and thick.

To a nomadic people with no siege engines, these would look impenetrable.

Numerous Enemy Nations

“The Amalekites dwell in the land of the Negeb. The Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the hill country. And the Canaanites dwell by the sea and along the Jordan.” (Num. 13:29)

This wasn’t one enemy — it was multiple hostile tribes across every terrain (desert, mountains, coast, river valleys).

It would feel like being surrounded with no easy entry point.

Well-Organized Militaries

Canaanite city-states had standing armies, iron weapons, and fortified positions.

Israel had been slaves, then nomads — they had no history of professional warfare.

The Anakim (Fear of “Giants”)

“We saw the descendants of Anak there… we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers.” (Num. 13:28, 33)

Even if exaggerated, some clans (like Anakim, later Goliath’s line) were genuinely tall warriors (~6–7 ft).

The psychological effect: They seemed unbeatable.

The Grapes & Produce as a Mixed Message

The spies brought back a massive cluster of grapes (Num. 13:23).

While proof of abundance, it also suggested: “Look how rich the land is — but you’ll never get it. It belongs to them.”

The blessing itself became intimidating.

“A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey”

This phrase is repeated often (Ex. 3:8, Lev. 20:24, Num. 13:27, Deut. 31:20).

“Milk”

Refers to the abundance of livestock (goats, sheep, cattle) and their ability to graze.

In ancient Near Eastern language, “milk” often symbolized rich pastureland capable of sustaining herds.

Archaeology shows Canaan’s valleys and hillsides were excellent for grazing.

“Honey”

Likely refers primarily to date honey (thick syrup from pressed dates), a staple in the region.

Could also include bee honey, though that was less common and more luxury.

Together, “milk and honey” = shorthand for agricultural abundance and fertility.

📖 In Numbers 13:27, the spies confirm: “It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.” T

Yet - In the Moment they Forgot

God’s Previous Blessing and Provision

The Israelites had seen many spectacular miracles.

 They saw 10 supernatural plagues God sent upon the Egyptians.

 They witnessed the first Passover wherein God spared the Israelites as they put blood from a lamb around the doors of their dwellings.

 They saw God open the hearts of the Egyptians so that they gave them many possessions.

 They experienced supernatural help to cross the Sinai Peninsula on eagle’s wings to reach the Aqaba finger of the Red Sea.

 They beheld a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to guide and protect them.

 They experienced the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea (10.5 miles wide, 17 km.) in which they were approximately 2,500 ft. (762 m.) der sea level in the midst of the depths and mighty waters of the sea (Isa. 51:10).

They saw God supernaturally provide water out of a rock at Rephidim.

God helped the Israelites supernaturally defeat the Amalekites as Aaron and Hur held up the arms of Moses.

They stood in fear and trembling as God sent fire and smoke upon Mt. Sinai when he gave them the Ten Commandments written on stone by His own finger.

They received supernatural provisions of Manna and quail in the desert. 

The Israelites had been bathed in miracles for well over a year from the time they left Egypt until the time they reached Kadesh Barnea.

They had seen enough miracles to be able to trust God for anything.

A Weak God

However, despite all the miracles they had witnessed, they viewed God as too weak to help them enter the Promised Land and rebelled against Him.

THEY SAID:

“8 Nevertheless, the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; and moreover, we saw the [a]descendants of Anak there.

“Why is the lord bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become plunder; whould it not be better for us to return to Egypt.”

Kevin DeYoung (Pastor/Theologian): “We fear circumstances so much because we fear God so little… [we fear] people more than we fear God.”

John Flavel: “The weak Christian fears man too much, and God too little.”

AW TOZER - “Low View of God”

A.W. Tozer’s book The Knowledge of the Holy (1961) — a classic on the attributes of God. Let me give you the context and meaning around it.

📖 The Source

The full idea comes from Chapter 1: Why We Must Think Rightly About God.

Tozer begins the book by arguing that the most important thing about a person is what comes into their mind when they think about God.

From there, he develops the contrast: a low view of God leads to weak faith, shallow worship, compromise, and countless errors; a high view of God leads to strength, holiness, courage, and the solving of many problems at their root.

📝 The Exact Thought

Tozer’s language is:

“A low view of God is the cause of a hundred lesser evils; but a high view of God is the solution to ten thousand temporal problems.” (Knowledge of the Holy, Ch. 1)

He argues that nearly every spiritual failure traces back to thinking too little of God’s holiness, majesty, and sovereignty.

Conversely, when God is seen rightly — exalted, majestic, holy, loving, omnipotent — everything else falls into perspective.

You Become what you Focus on!

The israelites became weak… because they were focused on the wrong things.

srael’s Focus (Numbers 13–14)Our Common Focus TodayPeople – “The people who dwell in the land are strong…”Circumstances – “Life looks too hard, too stacked against me.”Giants – “…we seemed like grasshoppers in their sight.”Own Limitations – “I’m too small, too weak, too underqualified.”Cities – “…the cities are fortified and very large.”Barriers/Obstacles – “That door is closed; that wall is too high.”Emotional Response – “…all the people wept that night.”People’s Opinions – “What if they laugh, reject, or criticize me?”Personal/Familial Fear – “…our wives and our little ones will become prey.”Immediate Security – “What about my family, finances, or health?”Longing for Egypt – “…let us choose a leader and go back.”Past Comforts – “Better to stay in the familiar, even if it’s slavery.”

Reflections:

God didn’t just up and “banish them”… they had repeated constant behavior… where they would not trust God.

Sin Affects People

Sin: Is when we do something and God says either through his spirit, or through is word to do something else.

Either through our Conscience or through his Written Word.

Who did it affect when the Israelites didn’t trust God with their future on the edge of Canaan?

.… Open Discussion.

The Whole Adult Generation

Every Israelite age 20 and older (except Caleb & Joshua) was barred from entering the Promised Land (Num. 14:29–30).

They spent the rest of their lives wandering and died in the wilderness.

Their Families & Children

They feared: “Our wives and our little ones will become a prey.” (Num. 14:3).

Ironically, God said: “Your little ones, who you said would become a prey, I will bring in, and they shall know the land that you have rejected.” (Num. 14:31).

The very children they thought they were protecting had to wait 40 years because of their parents’ unbelief.

The Leaders / Spies

The 10 spies who spread fear died by a plague before the Lord (Num. 14:36–37).

Caleb and Joshua alone were spared and rewarded.

Moses & Aaron

While not judged at this moment, the unbelief of the people weighed heavily on them, and later failures (Num. 20) kept them personally from entering the land.

The Nation’s Witness - God’s Reputation

Israel’s turning back showed surrounding nations their lack of trust in God, dimming their testimony.

Instead of entering as a victorious people, they wandered like nomads — their reputation was delayed until the next generation’s conquest.

Ripples - When we Don’t Trust

Illustration:

Ever thrown a pebble in a lake.

There’s the inital splash, then what’s on the outskirts of it?… many ripples.

....

1. Us Personally

Impact:

We forfeit peace (Phil. 4:6–7). Anxiety rules instead of God’s presence.

We miss opportunities (like Israel at Kadesh Barnea). God’s open doors can close if we refuse to walk through them.

We may carry guilt or regret, knowing we resisted God’s leading.

Example: The rich young ruler (Matt. 19:22) — he walked away sorrowful because he didn’t trust Jesus with his future.

Deeper Questions:

What opportunities in my life might I have missed because of hesitation or fear?

Where am I currently unsettled because I’m not fully trusting God?

2. Our Families

Impact:

Our kids/spouse absorb what we model, not just what we say.

Patterns of unbelief and fear can shape a household culture.

Just as Israel’s children had to wait 40 years, our unbelief can delay blessings for those closest to us.

Example: Lot hesitated to leave Sodom; his family suffered long-term consequences (Gen. 19).

Deeper Questions:

What spiritual “legacy” is my family inheriting from me — courage, or caution?

Do my children/spouse see God’s promises as reliable because of how I live?

3. Those We Influence (Friends, Workplace, Church)

Impact:

Fear and doubt spread faster than courage (the 10 spies vs. Caleb/Joshua, Num. 13–14).

My hesitation can normalize compromise in others.

Leadership especially multiplies influence — both good and bad.

Example: Peter, out of fear of others, withdrew from Gentile believers (Gal. 2:11–13) — and others followed his hypocrisy.

Deeper Questions:

Do I pull people upward in faith or downward in fear?

If someone only copied my level of trust in God, what would their faith look like?

4. Spiritual Leaders Around Us

Impact:

Leaders are human — our obedience can encourage them, while our disobedience weighs them down.

A fearful or resistant spirit in a congregation can stall vision and burn out pastors/mentors.

Example: Moses often cried out under the weight of Israel’s unbelief (Num. 11:11–14). Paul spoke of carrying the “daily pressure of anxiety for all the churches” (2 Cor. 11:28).

Deeper Questions:

Do my leaders see me as a source of encouragement or discouragement?

How can my trust in God lighten their load and affirm their calling?

5. Our Testimony / Community

Impact:

Unbelief tells the world that our God isn’t trustworthy.

Fear-driven living makes God look small, irrelevant, or powerless.

But strong trust under trial shines powerfully in a skeptical world.

Example: Israel’s unbelief caused surrounding nations to mock (Num. 14:13–16). By contrast, Daniel’s trust in the lions’ den made King Darius declare the greatness of God (Dan. 6:25–27).

Deeper Questions:

What does my response to difficulty communicate to unbelievers watching me?

Does my life make God look strong — or small?

.… Open Discussion.

Us personally – I miss out on peace, opportunities, or God’s blessing when I shrink back in fear.

Our families – My unbelief influences how my spouse, kids, or loved ones view God. They may inherit delay, discouragement, or a pattern of fear.

Those We influence – My church, workplace, and friends can be pulled down by my doubt or negativity. Influence multiplies fear just like it multiplies faith.

Spiritual leaders around Us – Pastors, mentors, and encouragers carry heavier burdens when I don’t walk in obedience. My fear can discourage those who guide me.

My testimony / community – When I live in fear instead of faith, unbelievers see a small God through me. My witness is weakened.

A Different Viewpoint

Later we would see the Israelits would take over Cannan. It would be a wonderful day.

They made it.

For you and I today we each see the same scenes in life but see DIFFERENTLY.

We each have differnt points of view...

Some of us today are looking at the perspective of the elderly who died off… or the perspective of the young… who lived through it.

Each had a perspective.

Maybe some have perspectives of blessing, or pain. Privledge, or poverty…

Regardless of Perspective - Real Test = Difficulty

The real test of discipleship is not to walk with them when they are performing miracles… but when the miracles stop.

The test - is walking when it feels like death.

It had been one year… and they were getting tired of death.

We liked the mireacles lord… the good things lord.

This morning you can trust God -

He’s been with you before and he will be with you again.

He knows your address your name and your zip code.

He isn’t afraid of a thing or threathened by anything.

From the little sparrow to the animales to even us - He knows right where you are.

If your hairs are numbered and

WRAPUP

Wrap-Up Encouragement: Trusting God at the Edge

Each of us are at the “EDGE”.

When Israel stood at Kadesh Barnea, they had a choice: to see giants and walls or to see God and His promises. Their unbelief cost them decades. Caleb and Joshua’s faith, however, gave them a future.

You and I stand at our own “edges of Canaan” every day — in fears, unanswered prayers, difficult circumstances, temptations, or strained relationships. The choice is the same:

Will I shrink back in fear, or step forward in faith?

Will I let circumstances define me, or let God’s promises steady me?

Will my life make God look small, or great?

Trust is not ignoring the giants — it’s remembering that God is greater than the giants.

✨ Thought-Provoking Application

What “giant” am I exaggerating in my life right now?

What “Egypt” am I tempted to run back to instead of moving forward with God?

Who around me will either inherit fear or inherit faith based on my response today?

If someone only judged the size of my God by how I face hardship, what would they conclude?

We are being Changed

Trusting God doesn’t always change the circumstance immediately — but it always changes me. It lifts my eyes, steadies my heart, and leaves a testimony bigger than fear.

Faith says:

The walls are high, but God is higher.

The giants are strong, but God is stronger.

The way is uncertain, but God is already there.

Change the Perspective - Trust!

Joshua and Caleb were known for good hearts. (Num. 14:24; Deut 1:36

“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.”

They were faithful to God although sorely tested in the wilderness.

They said, Obedience + Faith = Conquering Canaan.

In the face of anything said, “God is sufficient” and “My God is BIG”

He is Big Enough

...big enough to heal your marriage

...or heal your child

...help you to pray with your neighbor

...get out of your comfort zone

...overcome your worst struggles

...conquer your constant anxiety

...make true your biggest dream.

Or just help you - like he helps me… today.

TO walk where he says walk. And Go where God says Go.

Someone said: There comes a moment when you must quit talking to God about the mountain in your life and start talking to the mountain about your God.

Eventually both groups still had to choose to go into CANAAN… and face the giants.

Don’t make future generations have to go through again… what you were unwilling to.

BOTH GROUPS EVENTUALLY HAD TO CHOOSE.

Reflect on Deut 1:20-21

20 I said to you, ‘You have come to the hill country of the Amorites which the Lord our God is about to give us. 21 See, the Lord your God has placed the land before you; go up, take possession, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has spoken to you. Do not fear or be dismayed.’

WHO WAS THIS TO? (Over 20 or under 20)

Does “Choosing” ring a bell of any verses?

Reflect on Joshua 1:1-9

GIVE Background – the 20 yr old and under (now 0ver 38) are about to enter

God’s Charge to Joshua

Joshua 1:1-9 Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ [a]servant, saying, 2 “Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. 3 Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses….5 No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous; [b]be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may [c]have success wherever you go. 8 This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may [d]be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will [e]have success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”WHO WAS THIS TO? (Over 20 or under 20?)

To those over 20 - 21 See, the Lord your God has placed the land before you; go up, take possession,

To those under 20 - now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel.

 They chose the land of milk and honey.

Joshua 1:1-9

STORY - TRIP TO LAMPLIGHTER GUILD

God rarely does things how or when we expect him to!!!

Story of me at Lamplighter Guild. Red eye flight from AZ. To NY to Letchworth State Park. …

My laundry was wet I had no vehicle. No clue where anything was. Needed $5 in quarters, & a dryer.

I knew no one… and one person out of the dozens of people… I met had exactly $5 in quarters.

God provided. I had to trust in him.

I had no plan “B”. I specifically didn’t ask around too much. Or “manufacture a miracle. I wanted God to provide.

That was “easy obedience”… I had no choice.

Many Times Trusting = Overcoming Your Pride/

Regardless of what people say

Later Israelites on verge of entering promised land...

God says Go stand in the river.

“8"You shall, moreover, command the priests who are carrying the ark of the covenant, saying, 'When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'" Josh 3:8

What if: one guy loses his footing, God really meant step into upto your knee, what if we lose God’s protection because we lose this in the Jordan river.

What if I look funny.

Falling in the Jordan

At flood tide the Jordan River was 200 feet wide. It separated them from their 400 year old promise.

We will never see God’s part of the Jordan River if our feet are firmly planted on dry ground. If we step into the water God will work things out for our good and his Glory.

Story of Mark Batterson

Church was participating in g church wide time of prayer certain time each day. One day had to miss because of this flight. As I got off the plane he realized it was time to pray.

I knew I’d be kneeling at our church but I was in the middle of the airport. And that’s when I felt the Holy Spirit impressing on me the need to kneel right then and there.

He resisted. But lord I’m in Gate D8. I know where you are God said.

At first I rationalized… I don’t want to feed negative stereotypes about religious fanatics. I can pray just as effectively as I walk toward baggage claim. I can kneel a little later in my hotel room.

All was true but it wasn’t obedience. I knew if I failed this test I would be standing in the way of God using me in bigger ways in the future.

So after looking both ways I hit my knees. A little piece of my ego died that day in terminal D8.

He soon shared his story. Soon his church became a kneeling mob, elevators, classrooms, banks, and in courtrooms. It’s not about being strange it’s about obedience.

We don’t like Falling In the Jordan

We don’t like to look like a “fool”… or a funny guy… opps.

When Faith requires us to step out and trust God.

Did I hear god right?

Maybe I didn’t...but....

We don’t like the feeling when we are “Trusting God”

Gods saying you climb hte ladder… I’ll hold it.

When We Quit

When we quit, we don’t just compromise the present. Every promise from God’s word, every miracle he’s shown you , every blessing that could be in your future if forfeited… if we call it quits.

If you have definite promise from God for a situation, dream God has given you that aligns with his word, don’t forfeit the miracle right before it happens.

The results of Peter stepping out of the boat was he walked on water.

The results of Elijah praying for rain one last time (6th) was he got the rain.

What could be your results, our results?

A man by the name of Mark Batterson one day received a phone call on a Wednesday afternoon that changed the trajectory of his life personally and ministry.

The man on the other line said, “we want to give you three million dollars.” I was speechless. They said there were no strings attached and they wanted to remain anonomys,

There are some churches we wouldn’t feel comfortable investing in but you have vision beyond your resources.

Questions: What “giant” am I exaggerating in my life right now?

What “Egypt” am I tempted to run back to instead of moving forward with God?

Who around me will either inherit fear or inherit faith based on my response today?

What is God calling me to trust him for…? maybe it’s an area he’s calling me to obey in… but it feels risky.

Background to Mark Batterson Praying...

Church was participating in g church wide time of prayer certain time each day.

STORY -- BACKGROUND – Median age of attendees was 28. Faithfully tithing but not enough. In 13 years largest gift received was $42,000 tithe on the sale of a home. On March 15, 2006 they opened the doors on a coffee house on Capital Hill. Total cost was 3 million and the mortgage was 2 million. One day felt prompted to pray for a 2 million dollar miracle. He had to pause and discern… Had no idea how God would do it but he knew he would. He mentioned the 2 million dollar prayer to four people. At one point he god impatient and tried to manufacture a miracle but it turned into a 15,000 loss. He kept praying, trusting. Then one day at 3 in the afternoon. This person said, “”We want to give you three million dollars.” He knew that was it. God even meant 1 million better.

FIRE - Story

One night a house caught fire and a young boy was forced to flee to the roof. The father stood on the ground below with outstretched arms, calling to his son, "Jump! I'll catch you." He knew the boy had to jump to save his life. All the boy could see, however, was flame, smoke, and blackness. As can be imagined, he was afraid to leave the roof. His father kept yelling: "Jump! I will catch you." But the boy protested, "Daddy, I can't see you." The father replied, "But I can see you and that's all that matters."

Sometimes wether big or small we don’t want to jump. He will catch us.

🔥 Closing Charge

When fear says quit, God says commit.

When doubt says stay, God says obey.

When giants look tall, God is greater than them all.

When Egypt calls back, God leads on a better track.

When you can’t see through, God still sees you.

When the night feels long, God makes you strong.

When the mountain won’t move, God’s power will prove.

When the storm won’t cease, God gives His peace.

When hope seems gone, God carries you on.

🔥 High-Point Blurb

So don’t quit now. Don’t turn back to Egypt. Don’t let fear write your story. Step forward, pray one more prayer, take one more step of obedience. Because the God who sees you will carry you, the God who calls you will keep you, and the God who parted seas still makes a way today.

Closing question: Where’s your perspective? Man or God? The giants or faith?

If someone else judged God’s power by watching how I live each day, what picture would they walk away with?

Closing Prayer: