You have to fight to own the land

Many times, we Christians believe that simply because God has told us that He is going to give us this or that, we can sit back and wait until the promise comes passively to us. I believe that efforts must be made; we have to do our part too.

In verse 17 of Numbers 13 he says regarding the Hebrews in the desert: 'So Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, saying to them:' Go up from here to the Negev and go up the mountain. And observe the land how it is, and the people that inhabit it, if it is strong or weak, if little or numerous. How is the inhabited land, if it is good or bad and what are the inhabited cities like, if they are camps or fortified squares and what is the land like: if it is fertile or sterile, if there are trees in it or not '”.

In other words, God is saying to the Israelites: “Go and explore that land that I have told you is yours. Look to see how it is. Examine the tribes that are there and come with a report of what weapons they have, if they are strong, if they are high, if they are numerous, if they have large armies. Examine the conditions of the land: if there are good trees, if there are good possibilities of cultivation ”. That is to say, a total reconnaissance of the land had to be made.

And then Moses tells them, "Come back with that report to us."

I see something very important here. One would wonder why was that necessary? If God had already said that they were going to enter the land and they already had the land declared by God as their property. Why did they have to make this detailed, precise survey of the land?

First of all, I believe that God wants us to be people of order, people who take time to analyze his promises, to analyze what God has declared about our lives. I believe that faith does not deny intelligence. There is no conflict between faith and one making wholesome explorations of God's promises, knowing what God has said, studying the Bible. It is very helpful to analyze our surroundings from time to time, to examine ourselves in the light of the Word of God, to determine what are our defects and our virtues. We must use the mind to better understand the things of the Spirit.

God's promises do not nullify the responsibility of the believer. Before Jesus fed a whole crowd, he sent his disciples to search the people and see what they had to eat. Only when five loaves and two fish were brought to him, did the miracle of multiplication take place.

God wanted these men to enter the earth and possess it. God had told them: "That land is yours." He was committed to them. But when they entered there would be enemy tribes waiting for them. There were going to be wars; there would be fights, and God wanted them to be prepared.

Before God's promises are realized, we will have to overcome opposition. Our efforts of faith, grounded in God's promises, honor the Lord by showing confidence in Him and in His promises. God is pleased when He sees us striving and developing the character of a spiritual warrior, someone who skillfully handles the concepts and promises of God's word.

God respects us too much to do everything for us. He created us with free will. He instilled in us his excellent spirit. He has left us great promises so that through them we may achieve great victories. Let us not waste the opportunity to grow and mature spiritually by being diligent in implementing the beautiful challenges that his Word offers us.