Numbers 13:1-14:45 When we read the Bible, the Holy Spirit will often highlight, or draw to our particular attention something we are reading.

Moses was told to choose as the spies, princes, leaders of the people, "one man for the tribe of his fathers ye do send, every one a prince among them". They were not chosen for their skill in spying, for their age or ability, but as "every one a prince". This was task for those who were raised to leadership, because they were intended to bring a good report which would have authority in its being related to the people. They were to be in a position of honour and power for this task. Choice men, princes were to go.

Each one is named. Marvel at the way that records have been kept and written down, at such a time, so long ago. And still with us now. Thus God protects His word and sustains it through the ages.

Two contrasting understandings and knowledge of God are shown in the spies who return for spying out the land of Canaan: Caleb who is filled with energy and positivity and excitement in having seen the land and knowing that God has promised this land to His people; the ten other spies, while admiring the fruit and plentifulness of the land, surely it is a land of milk and honey, - the first fruits of the grapes is such a quantity that the cluster they cut down must be carried on a staff by two men, promising a prolific harvest, - but immediately overwhelmed by their thoughts of the people who dwell in the land, numerous and strong and men of stature, ' we are in our own eyes as grasshoppers and so we were in their eyes'

Two points about distrusting God come from this episode: if we concentrate on what we see with our eyes and then what our minds tell us about what we see, including imagination for they could not know what the people who dwelt in the land thought of them, then we will be afraid - Peter saw the wind and was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out to Jesus, save me - and Jesus immediately saved him and responded, ;oh ye of little faith why did you doubt?'

What is the antithesis of this distrusting way of living? Caleb: "Let us certainly go up - and we have possessed it, for we are thoroughly able for it" Speak life, speak certainty, speak with commanding invitation to go with God into the future he holds for us"

Psalm 31:19-24 David relates of himself: I have said in my haste, "I have been cut off from before Thine eyes." But Thou hast heard the voice of my supplications, in my crying unto Thee. Just as Peter cried out in his haste and Jesus immediately reached out and helped him, so we may also cry out before we remember that God is " keeping the faithful" and God will reach out to prove Himself our saviour and redeemer.

In Mark: 10:32 The disciples were amazed that Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, and "following, they were afraid."

Jesus continues with his face set like flint to make his way steadfastly towards Jerusalem, where he knows that he will be delivered to the chief priests and to the scribes and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the nations and they shall mock him and scourge him and spit on him and kill him and the third day he shall rise again. Three times he tells his disciples this in the gospel of Mark. He sets his face to go to Jerusalem in full knowledge of what is to come.

If we are afraid, how do we face the future? We have to know that God will take us through it, whatever befalls us, and we can strengthen our hearts in that knowledge. We do as the Father commands us, for the joy set before us, that if we do His will, He is with us and we will not be overcome by our circumstances.