Per God’s command, Moses rescued the children of Israel from enslavement in Egypt. The Lord was faithful to them and provided daily manna from Heaven for their nourishment as they journeyed. Yet, they complained because they didn’t have the food they used to eat when they were slaves in Egypt.

God had planned for this hard part of their journey to the promised land to be over in just days, not years. In Numbers 13-14, we read that when they approached the land, Moses sent twelve spies to scout it out. Joshua and Caleb came back saying, “Let’s go up now and take the land because we can certainly conquer it!” Yet, ten of the twelve had negative reports saying that while it is a land flowing with milk and honey, the cities are large and fortified and the men are so huge that “we looked like grasshoppers”. When the people heard these words, they began wailing and asking why God had brought them out of Egypt only to die by the sword.

Again, Joshua and Caleb tried to encourage the people saying, “Don’t rebel against the Lord and don’t be afraid of the people, for He will give us the land.” With those words, the whole community wanted to stone them. 

Because of their unbelief, God did not allow any of that generation, except Joshua and Caleb, to enter the promised land, resulting in 40 years of wandering and facing many battles in the wilderness. 

Much like them, we sometimes journey toward our promised land, and may even walk right up to it, only to be held back by fear and unbelief. I’ve often wondered what would have happened if, at any point, the children of Israel would have repented for their unbelief. Would God have allowed them to enter the promised land? If we repent, will He allow us to enter ours?

Dear Heavenly Father, 

I thank You that You are forever faithful to your promises. There have been times in my life that as I was approaching my promised land, I let fear and intimidation stir up within me. I humbly repent before You now and ask You to forgive me for my unbelief toward You. I know You told me to take the route I did and I am the one who failed to see it through. As You continue to strengthen my faith, please give me another chance to walk into all that You have for me. Lord, I humbly ask that you open the door into my promised land once again, so that in serving in that land, I and others may glorify You! In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Do you feel God brought you through a difficult situation, an addiction, or answered your prayer in a way that left you feeling alone and destitute? Does it seem that He has brought you from one hardship to another? Do you feel as though you are wondering in the wilderness? Truly repent of any unbelief and seek His guidance in getting to your promised land.