Overcoming the Grasshopper Mentality

‘There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight’ (Numbers 13:33).

How far you go in the journey of life is very dependent on your perceptions. One major determinant of success is ones perceptions, or ability to interpret rightly what you see. ‘Your perception about life depends on what you know and what you know is not all that there is to know so get more knowledge’ (Myles Munroe). ‘The LORD said to Moses, “Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites’ (Numbers 13:2). Considering the statement God made to Moses, you will realize that God himself was the one giving the land of Canaan to Israel. Consequently, the end of the matter had already being determined, all they had to do was to be able to see things through the eyes of God and posses the land in faith.

One may wonder why God commanded Israel to go and spy or explore the land. God could have just commanded them to go and possess the land straight away, since He was the one giving it to them. Moses’ words to the twelve leaders of the tribes that were going to spy the land were, ‘see what the land is like: whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, few or many; whether the land they dwell in is good or bad; whether the cities they inhabit are like camps or strongholds; whether the land is rich or poor; and whether there are forests there or not. Be of good courage. And bring some of the fruit of the land” (Numbers 13:18-20).

God is a God of Purpose who creates everyone with a specific purpose; His words to Jeremiah were, ‘before I formed you… I knew you and I set you apart for my holy purpose’ (Jer 1:5). However the truth is, the purposes of God for you do not just drop on to your lap from heaven. God equips you with all that you need to possess that purpose, in terms of talents or gifts. Your duty then is to plan and work to possess that destiny with wisdom and faith. When the spies that went to survey the land came back, the general report about the land was, ‘it is indeed a bountiful country, a land flowing with milk and honey. Here is the kind of fruit it produces (a branch with one cluster of grapes had to be carried between two of them on a pole). But the people living there are powerful, and their towns are large and fortified. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too’. But Caleb differed in perception; his words were, “let’s go at once to take the land…we can certainly conquer it!”

All the twelve spies saw the same thing in the land of Canaan but the difference was in their perception or interpretation of what they saw. Eleven of them focused on Giants that could not be conquered, but Caleb focused on a bountiful land that God had given to them. He saw things through the eyes of God and therefore had the right perception. The eleven saw themselves as grass hoppers in the presence of the giants, forgetting that, the God they serve is greater than the giants they saw. They focused on the challenge instead of focusing on the Almighty God and His promise to them (Numbers 13:27-33).

What you see is determined by what you focus on. What are you focusing on. Are you focusing on the problems, or God and His promises? The God you serve is greater than the giants you see. If He has given you the land, then know that you can surely posses it, come what may. Has He promised and failed anyone before? NO, He is a faithful God. It is not in your time that God’s faithfulness is going to change. Arise!!! With obedience, faith and wisdom you will possess your promised land. Remember the just shall live by faith not by sight.

You are Not the Only One Left

‘…I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” The LORD said to him,…yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.” (1 kings 19:14 - 18).

One would have thought that after Elijah had challenged Ahab and his false prophets, and the power of God had been manifested so strongly at Mount Carmel, leading to four hundred and fifty false prophets being disgraced and slaughtered by him, Elijah would have been at the zenith of his ministry and his faith in God. On the contrary, he fled from Sinai; he was on the run to Horeb due to Jezebel’s threats. He feared for of his life.

In the journey of life, we sometimes get to points when we are overwhelmed with our calling as a result of fatigue, fear, the opposition of men and other storms of life. Elijah had been zealous for God in his calling and had stood for the truth, like many of us. However, at this point in his life he was not where God wanted him to be, he was on his way to Horeb, against God’s will. God’s question to him was, “What are you doing here, Elijah? (1 Kings 19:9).  ‘It seems he was so moved with fear to get away from Jezebel that he did not inquire of God what to do. The Lord could have protected him without him going all the distance to Mount Horeb and then back North to Syria’ (Fenis Dake). 

Sometimes under pressure we intentionally neglect God’s guidance, only to go our own way, knock our head against a brick and go right back to where we started from, now to seek God and avail ourselves for His direction. Even though God in His mercy always restores us when we repent, we miss great opportunities to grow in faith and be blessed. Consequently, we make our journey to our destination (God’s purpose) longer and more wearisome. God in his mercy sent a word to Elijah while he was fleeing to Horeb.  Today He still uses our inner convictions, dreams, circumstances and other people to warn us and get us back on track when we are straying from His will and purposes. A Christian who prays with a sincere heart and an open mind always receives God’s direction, no matter what the challenges are. 

After God asked Elijah ‘What are you doing here?’ his responds was, ‘I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I AM THE ONLY ONE LEFT, and now they are trying to kill me too’. God’s response was, ‘I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him’. (1 kings 19:14 - 18).

The main lesson here is that, you are not alone. There are many Christians who have made your journey successfully in the past. There are others who are making successful journeys very similar to yours presently. ‘What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun’ (Eccl 1:9). If you are to give up on God’s purpose and throw in the towel today, God will easily replace you with another person.  If you don’t want rocks to praise God and donkeys to prophecy in your place, then wake up (Numbers 22:28-30, Luke 19:40). Your work is not done, seek God’s face, renew your strength and carry on with your assignment. The journey is not over. No matter the fatigue, fear and the opposition of men, it’s not over until God says is over. Remember, Jesus grew weary and nearly gave up on His purpose, but after He prayed unto His heavenly father, angels were sent to strengthen Him and He was able to carry on (Luke 22:42-43).

‘Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength…’(Isaiah 40:30-31). You are not the only one left.

Don’t Stop Half way keep Moving

‘And Terah took his son Abram and his grandson Lot, the son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, his son Abram’s wife, and they went out with them from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to the land of Canaan; and they came to Haran and dwelt there’ (Genesis 11:31).

‘Here we read of Abram's departure out of Ur of the Chaldees, with his father Terah, his nephew Lot, and the rest of his family, in obedience to the call of God. This chapter leaves them about mid-way between Ur and Canaan, where they dwelt till Terah's death. Many reach to Harran, and yet fall short of Canaan; they are not far from the kingdom of God, and yet never come thither’ (Matthew Henry).

Clearly, God‘s call to Abraham was for him to settle in Canaan but not Harran. Harran was halfway to Canaan - the promised land. Many speculations have been made about Abraham’s reason for stopping at Haran instead of continuing to the Promised Land. Jason R. McConnell writes, ‘we don’t know why Abraham settled in Haran. Perhaps he didn’t obey God fully because of family pressure. Maybe Lot said, “Uncle Abraham, I’m afraid! I’ve never been this far from home before.” Maybe Terah said, “Sonny boy, it’s OK to be religious, but you don’t want to go overboard.” Maybe Sarai said, “Haran seems like a really nice place to live. We don’t even know what Canaan looks like.” Whether it was the spirit of fear, compromise, comfort, or something else, Abraham showed a lapse of faith by settling in Haran’.

Like Abraham, many of us began our walk with God or pursuing specific visions or dreams with a lot of faith and zeal. Unfortunately half way in our journey we have stopped. Our reasons may include fatigue, complacency, feelings of failure due to comparison, the praise of men, the cares of life and the persecution of men, not forgetting sin. No matter the excuses you have. Be reminded of the wise saying of King Solomon ‘The end of a matter is better than its beginning’ (Eccl 7:8).

Distraction is one of the devils strongest weapons against Christians. Your greatest enemy isn't the opposition, it's the distractions. So remain focused, ‘looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God’ (Heb 12:2). It is those that endure hard times and are faithful to the end, who will receive the blessings and reward of God. (Mat 24: 13, Rev 2:10). Remember, the Christian race is more of a marathon than a sprint.

You may be halfway to your miracle, don’t stop believing and obeying God. This is not where God had called you to be, go deeper, you can’t get big fish in shallow waters. An abundant harvest is awaiting you if only you won’t stop growing to know God better. The same God who has brought you this far can take you a hundred times further. Every giant was once a baby. Trust and obey God, taking one day at a time. You’ve only gotten to Haran, ‘get up and get on down the road to the Promised Land! ‘Don’t you stop halfway! Don’t be satisfied with halfway there! Get out! Keep going! Don’t give up! What did you ask God for at the beginning of 2013? You’re only halfway there’ (Rod Parsley). May you be able to declare that, ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness’ (2 Tim 4:7-8).

Ageing Well

‘However many years anyone may live, let them enjoy them all. But let them remember the days of darkness, for there will be many. Everything to come is meaningless’ (Ecc.11:8 NIV).

We are at the end of another year and the hard truth is, folks are not growing younger. ‘The secret of ageing well is staying young at heart, staying close to God, and staying fully engaged with life. The mirror isn't your problem; how you see yourself is. In his eighties, Rubinstein amazed audiences with his piano-playing skills. Gladstone became Britain's Prime Minister for the fourth time in his eighties. John Wesley preached every day aged 88. Moses led Israel at 120. Caleb led his troops against an army of giants at 80, and won. Two-thirds of the world's greatest works of art were accomplished by people over 65. Don't let a little rain, a falling tree or a possible risk stop you.

Culture often gives old age a bad image, but clearly God doesn't agree. To Him, old age is the reward for a life well-lived, a privilege earned, an accomplishment worth celebrating, and wisdom shared to benefit succeeding generations. Note how God sees ageing. He views long life as evidence of His favor. He says, 'Through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life' (Proverbs 9:11 NIV). Longevity, with all its aches and pains, is a blessing. 'The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short. Have you noticed how 'young' some older people are, and how 'old' their peers seem? Seeking the elusive fountain of youth isn't the answer, nor is surrendering to time and fate. Rather, do these two things.

First, be realistic! Nothing is sillier than a woman made up to recreate what she hasn't been for decades - except an older man in an unbuttoned shirt flashing jewellery intended to recreate the macho image of a lost youth. When you are comfortable with your age and stage of life, others will be too. Solomon points out that age decreases vigour, dims vision, slackens muscles, stiffens joints, whitens hair, and so on (Ecclesiastes 12:1-5 TM). Vitamins, exercise and a good attitude help, but you must be realistic in order to handle ageing with dignity.

Second, keep giving. 'Be generous; invest in acts of charity. Charity yields high returns. Don't hoard your goods; spread them around. Be a blessing to others' (Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 TM). Don't stop investing your energy and resources into God's kingdom because you think it's time for the young folk to take over. If you do that loneliness and depression will set in, and illness and death soon follow. When you shut the door, draw the curtains and isolate yourself, you're old at any age. But when you stay in the mainstream, give yourself to God and others, you'll stay young all your life!

Ageing well requires that you stay flexible. The Bible says, 'Clouds always bring rain; trees always stay wherever they fall. If you worry about the weather and don't plant seeds, you won't harvest a crop' (Ecc. 11:3-4 CEV). Certain things are inevitable in life. Clouds bring the rain. Trees fall in a storm. Like the weather, circumstances arise that you can't control. Hazard-free living is a myth; every undertaking entails risk. 'If you dig a pit, you might fall in; if you break down a wall, a snake might bite you. You could even get hurt by... chopping a log' (Ecc. 10:8-9 CEV). You say, 'At my age, I play it safe and take no chances.' Avoiding risk guarantees missing what God has for you just ahead. So how can you enjoy the final years of your life? Don't avoid; rather, adjust, adapt and advance. But be practical; pace yourself!

Don't let fear dominate your later years. Don't let life's 'unknowns', such as finances, health, loneliness, loss of friends and family members, get you down. There's much in life you'll never know, yet God has brought you this far! So, 'Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do. He's the one who will keep you on track. Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God’.