Through the Eyes of Faith

And we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, so we were in their sight. (Num 13:33)

This scripture recounts the pivotal moment when Moses, following God’s instructions, dispatched twelve men to explore the promised land. These chosen spies were tasked with a critical mission: to assess the strength and weaknesses of the inhabitants who resided there. They needed to determine whether the land itself was rich and fertile or barren and uninviting.

Furthermore, they were to examine the quality and abundance of the fruit produced by the land, seeking signs of its potential to sustain the people. This journey would ultimately shape the future of their community as they weighed the promises of God against the reality they uncovered.

Twelve men went to explore, ten had one perspective, while two—Joshua and Caleb—saw differently. They all observed the same facts, but Joshua and Caleb viewed them through eyes of faith and trust in God, based on the faithfulness and deliverance they have seen from God before.

Ten men said, “We’re like grasshoppers in our own sight so we were in their sight.” And therein lies the problem, they were looking through their eyes of flesh. Did you know, other people will see you as you see yourself and so will the enemy.

Joshua and Caleb saw the same things yet said, “It’s a great land and God is with us therefore we can take our land.” There two men were looking through the eyes of faith – seeing as God sees.

Remember David? In I Samuel 17, Goliath had come out against the army of God and the Bible says that because of Goliath’s words, the men of God were greatly afraid. Wow!

Because of his words alone they were greatly afraid. Then David, this little ruddy boy come along – and David saw Goliath differently, he saw a man coming against David’s God. David was able to see the situation through the eyes of faith and he declared that Goliath would be defeated in the name of the Lord – and he was.

David, Joshua, and Caleb saw things differently. This sight came from within, not from their natural eyes. Where all the others saw opposition – they saw opportunity. They didn’t deny the giants, they simply knew that The Greater One was with them and they knew every giant could and would be defeated in the name of the Lord.

What do you see when you look at your circumstances? Do you see giants standing in the way of your promises and decide to just stay where you are instead of pressing to what God has promised you? Or do you see that the God who is on the inside of you is greater and more than able to defeat any and all giants in your way?

In both instances, the children of God were afraid of what they saw and what they heard. The giants hadn’t laid one finger on them, they simply feared what they heard and saw.

The enemy works the same way today. His only weapons are words (lies) and making things look worse than they are. He has no power. None. He cannot keep you from your promises. He can only lie and deceive.

Don’t give into the lie. Look past those giants and see that great promised land through the eyes of faith and declare as David did, “Who are you to come against me, a child of God, this day my God will surely deliver you into my hand.”

Also, don’t allow people who can’t see your promises because of fear or doubt to distort your perception. Don’t allow negative words to keep you from your promises – stand toe to toe with every giant that stands in your way. Know that your God will defeat them for you every single time. He will lead you into your promised land if you’ll only believe, trust and see through the eyes of faith.