A good report encourages, a bad one is often discouraging. When it comes to a battle, no one enters into one without a clear plan or being sure of a victory. Israel was winning great battles with the help of God. In fact, there wasn’t a single battle that they could claim as one they’ve won because of a powerful army or great strategic work.

God sent 12 spies to survey the land of Canaan. He could have decided not to send them and straightaway captured the land as promised. But, in God’s great wisdom, He sent the top Israelites to checkout the land. After 40 days of surveying the land, 10 brought an evil report.

The very land that God had already promised He would give to them, the Israelites suddenly felt they could not capture it. They got scared of the giants, and man-eating culture, huge food produce, and might of the men living there.

All these years, Israel was victoriously led by God; mighty miracles and impossible battles were won. Forgetting it all they claimed “they” could not beat these Canaanites.

How often we forget God’s mighty works in our lives and claim all the success as our own. When success gets into the head, we forget who brought us to this day. Instead of giving glory to God all through, we often tend to boast about what “I achieved”.

When we believe what we see instead of believing what God can do (and promised to do), we end up using our own minds to derive results. Fear and worry takes a stronghold in our hearts.

The good report of Joshua and Caleb

2 spies brought a good report. Joshua and Caleb saw the same sight the other 10 spies did, yet, came back believing that they would win.

Why did Joshua and Caleb believe otherwise? They acknowledged God, trusting in His promised word, no matter how impossible the battle may have seemed to them. Chose to trust in God’s word rather than their own strength. They were sure about their stance concerning overcoming Canaan. While the 10 spies claimed despair, Caleb stood as a beacon of hope.

“Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession of it; for we will certainly conquer it.” (Numbers‬ ‭13:30‬)

The Israelites still continued to complain, but this time Joshua cried out!

“If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land which flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the LORD; and do not fear the people of the land, for they will be our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them.” (Numbers‬ ‭14:8-9‬)

God honoured Joshua and Caleb eventually as they led Israel to great victories. We read about Caleb, he had another spirit (Numbers 12:24), and that he followed God faithfully.

It takes trusting in God's sure Word, and following Him faithfully till the very end to see what others cannot see. When we stay in the word of God, He opens our eyes and fills our heart with the Spirit of God to go ahead in the faith of the son of God. We become a people who bring a good report enabling others to stay hopeful in the Lord.

May we learn to lean on God and lead others into the earnest awaiting in Christ. Praise God and Amen1