:. which spy am I? .:

As you can probably guess from recent posts, I'm currently reading through the Old Testament. Nothing like a few chapters of Deuteronomy and a hot cup of joe to jump-start the day!
So without further ado, here is my most recent rumination:

I'm sure the story is familiar to you. The nation of Israel was poised to enter Canaan. At God's command, Moses sent 12 men on ahead to explore the land: what are the people like? are they few or many? what kind of towns do they live in? how is the soil? etc etc.
I picture God sitting on high, giddy with excitement as His children for the first time set eyes on the wonderful gift He is about to give them. After all, the whole exodus has been building to this very moment.

The spies spent 40 days in the land flowing with milk and honey. They were astounded by the richness and fertility of the land.
They were also in awe of the inhabitants.

When they returned and reported to Moses, 10 of the 12 men advised against trying to enter the land. They said, "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are."
Only two of the 12 thought it was a go. Joshua and Caleb said, "If the Lord is pleased with us, He will lead us into that land."

Let me simplify:
10 of 12 said, "We can't".
Only two said, "He will".

And to make matters worse, the ten nay-sayers spread their negativity among all the people. Ten men caused the entire nation of Israel to weep, lament, and refuse to follow God's leading. The end result? They were doomed to wander in the desert one year for every day the spies had spent in Canaan. And that entire generation would not be allowed to set foot in the Promised Land. 40 years of wandering, and banned from receiving what God had promised. All because 10 men said, "We can't".

Am I someone who only sees obstacles? Have I been guilty of saying something can't be done? Has my lack of faith prevented someone else from receiving a blessing from God?
Or do I know that with God, everything is possible? Do I believe that what He has promised, He is well able to do . . . regardless of the odds?

Oh, and just for the record, at the end of the 40 years of wandering, Joshua and Caleb were allowed to enter the Promised Land.
God keeps perfect score.