What Does Your Eye Spy? (3/3/14)

A game that is often played by preschoolers is “I Spy With My Little Eye.” The leader starts the game by choosing an item. He or she then says the words, “I spy with my little eye something that is…” A characteristic of the item is inserted into the statement. This can be color, size or anything else that describes the item chosen. Everyone else then looks around the room and guesses what that item might be. The game continues until someone guesses what the leader actually originally picked. That person is the winner and receives the benefit that was determined before the game began.

It is very interesting to watch as each child picks an item for their guess. For example, the statement may be “I spy with my little eye something that is green.” One child who is particularly fond of dinosaurs may guess the green dinosaur in the corner. Another child who loves flowers could pick the leaves on the plant by the window. Still others will find favorite toys or other cherished items that display the color green.

Moses sent twelve men from the wilderness into the promise land to spy out all of the land. (Numbers 13 - 14) All twelve came back and reported what they had seen. All of the reports included things that were huge. They even brought back a branch with only one bunch of grapes that had to be carried on a pole because of its size. They all described a land that was flowing with milk and honey.

When Moses inquired as to what they had spied, ten of the men spoke in detail of giants and strongholds and challenges. They acknowledged the huge benefits of this land. But they could not get over the challenges they would be required to overcome. By focusing on these they saw their own lack and all the things that instilled fear. This led to seeing themselves as grasshoppers by comparison.

Two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, had a different perspective. They described in detail the land that was flowing with milk and honey. They acknowledged the challenges but were focused on the huge benefits. Despite the giants and the strongholds, “Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once and possess it; we are well able to conquer it.” (13: 30 AMP) The reason for the confidence of Joshua and Caleb is summed up in this statement.  “And they said to all the company of Israelites, The land through which we passed as scouts is an exceedingly good land.  If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land flowing with milk and honey.  Only do not rebel against the Lord, neither fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their defense and the shadow [of protection] is removed from over them, but the Lord is with us. Fear them not.” (14:7-9 AMP)

David, still a young shepherd boy, displayed the same confidence in the presence of the giant Goliath.  “Then said David to the Philistine, You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the ranks of Israel, Whom you have defied.  This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will smite you and cut off your head. And I will give the corpses of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.” (1 Samuel 17:45-46 AMP) Although the entire Israelite army shook was terror at the sound of Goliaths voice, this young boy conquered the giant with a slingshot, a stone and confidence in the power of the Most High God.

Throughout the ages people have accomplished great things when they looked to the power and promise of Almighty God instead of the circumstances before them. Our little eyes can see problems that will make us tremble. But the eye of faith in a faithful God will see the victory. Victory follows the heart that sees as God sees. 

Of all the Israelites, only Joshua and Caleb entered that land.  The other spies and everyone who believed their report died without ever seeing the promise.

Spy out each day of your life with eyes that see that the promises of God are larger than the trials ahead. You will work with God and receive the benefits promised by God.