God had already promised Israel the land of Canaan, a land overflowing with provision and blessing. He paid for it, prepared it, and positioned them right at the border. The promise was not only about eternal life in heaven. It was also about abundant life on earth.

While eternity is a gift given to those who believe, abundant life must be claimed by those who are willing to believe. Moses sent twelve men into Canaan to scout the land. They came back with evidence of the promise. The fruit was so large that it had to be carried by two men. The spies confirmed that the land was everything God said it would be. Yet, not everyone responded in faith.

Ten spies shifted their focus from the promise to the problems. Instead of remembering what God had already spoken, they allowed the size of the obstacles to shrink their faith. They saw themselves as grasshoppers, small and incapable, and projected that insecurity onto everyone around them. In doing so, they revealed a grasshopper mentality. But Caleb and Joshua responded differently. Caleb quieted the crowd and declared that they could take possession of the land because God had already given it. Where others saw giants, Caleb saw opportunity. He followed the Lord fully, and because of that faith, he received his inheritance.

Believers must be careful about magnifying obstacles instead of our God. When we refuse to believe that God’s promises are attainable, grasshopper thinking causes us to remain stuck where we are instead of progressing towards the abundant life God has planned for us.

We can carry the fruit of God’s goodness in our lives, but lack the faith needed to step into the fullness of what He’s promised. We can attend church, see God move, and know His Word, yet still hesitate at the borders of obedience. The question is not whether God has given us promises He intends to fulfill. The question is whether we will trust Him enough to enter in. Herein lies the challenge: God has already said He will give it. Our role is to believe and take possession.

Getting Started

1. When facing something new, what tends to show up first for you: excitement or nervousness?
2. Where do you see evidence of God’s fruit in your life right now?

Let’s Get Personal

1. Have you ever seen God clearly open a door in your life, but you hesitated to walk through it? Why did you hesitate?
2. What’s something in your life right now that might look like a giant, but could actually be an opportunity?
3. Who are the “grasshopper voices” in your life, and who are the “Caleb voices”?

Take the Next Step

1. What voices, habits, or distractions do you need to silence so you can hear God more clearly?
2. Pray and ask God to show you where fear is speaking louder than His promise and then ask Him for courage to take the next faithful step.
3. Want to dig deeper? Take a look at the following passages: Numbers 13:25-33; Numbers 10:11-12; Genesis 12:1-7; Genesis 23:17-19; Genesis 49:31; 1 Peter 1:4; John 10:10; Psalms 23; Romans 8:28; Hebrews 13:5; Philippians 1:6; Psalm 118:17; Romans 8:37; 1 John 1:9; Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:38-39; Matthew 7:16; John 16:33; 2 Timothy 3:5; Numbers 14:38; Joshua 14:7-14.

Renew Your Mind

‘Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it.”‘

Numbers 13:30