Today’s Reading, Numbers 14-15 & Psalms 90
Focal Scripture: Numbers 14:24 “But since my servant Caleb has a different spirit and has remained loyal to me, I will bring him into the land where he has gone, and his descendants will inherit it.”
To many people want to be like everyone else around them. When I talk with people many want to look, act, and even believe like those they are around. However, few people truly desire to be different and stand alone in their convictions and beliefs. Personally speaking I am not a group follower, especially when it comes to my faith. I have been called radical. I have been told I take my faith to serious. I have also had people get upset with me because I expect them to live out biblical standards.
In today’s reading we see the ramifications of the scouts in Israel. Ten out of the twelve came back with a bad report. They saw their enemies as greater than God. However, Caleb had a different spirit. He was loyal to the Lord and his commands. He chose faith over fear. Caleb didn’t follow the crowd and only Joshua was on his side. These two men knew that being like everyone else was not going to honor the Lord.
Today’s devotion is clear and powerful. Stop trying to fit in with the crowd. To many believers today want to be accepted by others instead of being obedient to the Lord. I know it is scary to go against the norm of American Christianity. It is easy to say one thing on Sundays and live differently throughout the week. Churches today need believers who will follow the Lord not the crowd.
I challenge you to be different. Stop making excuses for not being completely committed. If you have doubts, acknowledge those doubts and find ways to grow in your faith. Don’t allow shallow believers to stifle your spirit and not take your faith serious.
What I want you to take away from today’s devotion is absolute commitment to the Lord. Be passionate about your faith. Never accept a mediocre lifestyle. Have others think you are strange because of your commitment. May it be declared by all that you have a different spirit.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Numbers 16-17
