We Are Like Grasshoppers

Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies. Psalm 60:12 (NKJV)

The Israelites finally arrive at Kadesh on the border of Canaan. The land flowing with milk and honey, the land God had promised them, was before them. They had endured a 40-year journey in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. A journey that took its toll on them. A journey with many hardships, but also where they witnessed God’s miracles, signs and wonders. Moses understands the significance of this place and waits for the Lord’s instructions. The Lord speaks clearly. He tells Moses to send a leader from each of the twelve tribes to infiltrate Canaan. They go on a forty-day reconnaissance mission to get a feel for the land and understand who the inhabitants are. After forty days, they return to Kadesh and report back to Moses. They said, “The land is indeed a bountiful country, but the people living there are powerful, and their towns are large and fortified.” Numbers 13:27-28 (NLT)

They gave Moses and the Israelites a bad report. They had already decided they were not strong enough to defeat the people of Canaan. They say,

“There we saw the giants, and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” Numbers 13:33 (NLT)

No Longer Slaves

Joshua and Caleb were the only leaders who disagreed with this report; they believed the Lord would give them the exceedingly good land because He was with them (Numbers 14:5-9). However, the people were afraid and did not believe them.

Like the leaders of the ten tribes, we can become intimidated by something that seems to tower over us. It may be a mountain of debt, an impossible situation in a relationship, family issues or accusations that keep coming against you. We look at ourselves and think we will never be able to resolve these issues. When we do this, we feel small. We take on the identity of a grasshopper, as the leaders of the ten tribes did. But as followers of Jesus Christ, this is not our identity. This is not who we are. We are who we are because of what Jesus did for us. We have been set free.

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. Galatians 5:1 (NKJV)

We are no longer slaves. Slaves to fear and intimidation. Slaves to hopelessness. Slaves to the identity that we have put on ourselves. We are not grasshoppers. We serve an almighty God. Through His power and might, we will do valiantly. Through Jesus Christ, we have the overwhelming victory (Romans 8:37).

Let's be bold and courageous like Joshua and Caleb, who knew the Lord was with them. Who trusted Him to give them the victory over the towering giants.

For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4 (NIV)

Reflection:

Do you see yourself as a grasshopper instead of a victor in Christ?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, help me to exchange my slave mentality that makes me think I’m a grasshopper for Your identity. Help me to be bold and courageous. I stand in faith, believing that with You I will do valiantly. In Jesus’ name, amen.