The Story - Chapter 15 - 2 Kings 2, 4, 6

How big are your giants?  Are they big enough to keep you in isolation, hiding you out so they don't find you?  Do they keep you awake at night, causing you to loose peaceful and precious rest?  Are these giants ruining your appetite; zapping your strength?  Just what in the world can do this to us?

Fear is a crippling emotion and one Scripture addresses again and again.  Fear is an emotion, a feeling, and we all know that feelings aren't facts; they are gut reactions to the unknown.  Our fears can take on the appearance of GIANTS, they can stop us in our tracks and they rob us of our peace and tranquility.

When we come to believe in God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we need not fear anything.  That is a bold statement to make and one that is very difficult to live up to.  I can speak from experience as I am confident you can also.  As I was praying about the giants in my life today I was reminded of another concept called perspective.  The giants in life take on different shapes and forms depending on our current perspective.

For instance, there was a time when I worried about money, about retirement and how it was all going to work. I worried about my children and grandchildren and was fearful of the state of our country; the list goes on. Then suddenly all these things were put into a new perspective when a terminal illness struck.  None of the things listed to this point mattered any longer.  They were not giants anymore, but minuscule issues - they did not matter.

2 Kings 6:16 (NIV) 
"Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." 

This story today is about the giants in Elisha's servants eyes.  It is a fascinating story of the fear this servant experienced when he saw the enemy/giants surrounding the city.  Elisha prayed for his man to see there was nothing to fear.

2 Kings 6:17 (NIV)
"And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." 

The next time fear gets ahold of you, read this story and then ask God to reveal himself, to show you just how much He has your fears/giants under his command.

Read 2 Kings 2, 4, 6 here

Listen to 2 Kings 2, 4, 6 here

The Story - Chapter 6 - Numbers 10-14

Wandering and Worrying

What good is our faith when we find ourselves in the midst of a desert, hungry and tired? Will our faith feed us? Can faith cool our over-heated bodies, wash the sticky desert sand from our face and necks, will it quench parched throats?

Numbers 14:1-2 (NIV)
 “That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, "If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert!”

Is there is no pleasing the Israelites? How many times does God have to show up for them to have a little faith? Their lives would have been so different had they walked the desert sands in faith and faithfulness. Remember when Moses sent a leader from each of the twelve tribes to scout the land and report their findings? Ten of these leaders gave a poor report for when they saw extraordinarily large and tall men inhabiting the land, they reported the land was filled with giants. For that is what their hearts saw.

Numbers 14:6-8 (NIV)
“Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us.”

Joshua and Caleb reported quite a different story. Why the discrepancy? Did these two men see something different from the other ten leaders? The fact is all twelve saw the same land and the same inhabitants, only Joshua and Caleb saw things through the eyes of faith. They didn’t see the over-sized population as an obstacle but an opportunity for God to bless them.

Still today, we mimic our brothers’ behaviors. One tough day and we will erase from our minds all the blessed days prior. One situation of seemingly hopeless tomorrows, and we cast aside the thought of praying with the assurance that will God hear and respond.

God never loses faith in us, but can we say the same? Our desert experiences are meant to construct our character and fortify our faith. God has big plans for us, if we will just believe.

Read Numbers 10-14 here

Listen to Numbers 10-14 here