Sermon Tone Analysis

Numbers 13:25–14:4 (ESV)

At the end of forty days they returned from spying out the land.

And they came to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the people of Israel in the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh.

They brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land.

And they told him, “We came to the land to which you sent us.

It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.

However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large.

And besides, we saw the descendants of Anak there.

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.”

But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.”

Then the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.”

So they brought to the people of Israel a bad report of the land that they had spied out, saying, “The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people that we saw in it are of great height.

And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.”

Then all the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night.

And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron.

The whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt!

Or would that we had died in this wilderness!

Why is the Lord bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword?

Our wives and our little ones will become a prey.

Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?”

And they said to one another, “Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”

Introduction

Are you the cup is half empty or half full type of person?

Optimism vs. Pessimism

An optimistic person

Sees a problem as a challenge

Has a “can-do” attitude

Laughs and smiles frequently

Has a positive upbeat disposition

Expects all to work out for the best

Is determined to succeed

A pessimistic person

See a problem as a catastrophe

Questions their own abilities

Does not laugh and smile much

Has a negative, bitter disposition

Expects things to go wrong

Gives up easily

Characteristics Of An Optimist vs.

A Pessimist (lovemybeautybiz.com)

Hopelessness Defined

the feeling that one will not experience positive emotions or an improvement in one’s condition.

Hopelessness is common in severe major depressive episodes and other depressive disorders and is often implicated in suicides and attempted suicides.

APA Dictionary of Psyschology

Whereas chronic bouts of hopelessness is a type of depression, if you or someone your know is struggling with hopelessness, please seek professional intervention.

Hopelessness Amongst the Camp

Ten of the spies focused on the circumstances and challenges in the promised land.

The spies pessimism was contagious in the camp.

The hopelessness that swept through the camp costed the children of Israel God’s favor and ultimately the promised land as well.

Only three individuals from amongst the children of Israel would be allowed to enter into the promised land.

Overcoming a Spirit of Hopelessness

Seek the Lord

Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Remember that our hope isn’t in this life alone.

1 Corinthians 15:19 (ESV)

If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

Trust God no matter what.

Philippians 4:11 (ESV)

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

Conclusion

Hopelessness will hinder one’s relationship with the Lord.

It causes them to focus on the circumstance rather than the Lord of the circumstance.

One can overcome hopelessness by focusing on the Lord and His unfailing promises.