By Messianic Rabbi Jeff Forman
To the Jewish People who had come out of the land of Egypt, the Promised Land represented their future. In fact, when God appeared to Moses at the burning bush, He told Moses He would not only bring them out of the land of Egypt, He would also bring them, “to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey . . .” (Exodus 3:8 NKJV). That is a beautiful picture of their future.
Yet, when the time came for them to go in and possess “their future,” a great enemy opposed them. The great enemy of their future was not a physical army; it was fear! Fear inverted the vision of the 10 spies who gave a bad report to the rest of the nation.
Because of fear, they could not see a big God anymore, they could only see big enemies.
Because of fear, they could not see a good land anymore, they could only see one “that devours its inhabitants” (Numbers 13:32 NKJV).
Because of fear, they could not see themselves as able to possess the land, they could only see defeat.
Because of fear, they could not see a future in the Prom- ised Land, they could only see going back to Egypt. Fear ultimately caused them to withdraw into unbelief, dis- obedience, and the displeasure of God.
Fear was the enemy of their future. And fear is the enemy of our future! There is only one direction in the Kingdom of God—Kadima (forward)! Yet, no one knows what the future will bring; it is unknown and uncertain. How can we overcome this fear and confidently move forward?
We can build a bold future on the three great foundations and certainties the other two spies, Joshua and Caleb, built on:
But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: “The land we passed through to spy out 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 which flows with milk and honey.’ Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them” (Numbers 14:6-9 NKJV)
The first great foundation for building a bold future is to build it on the certainty of the love nature of God. There will always be uncertainty about future events, but what is cer- tain, what is stable, what is secure, is the eternal love of God. “If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us” (Numbers 14:8 NKJV). The future is unknown to us, but the love of God has been revealed to us.
And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love (1 John 4:16-18 NKJV)
Joshua and Caleb knew the God of love would protect and care for their future. If we are firmly rooted in God’s love, fear cannot take hold of our hearts. Instead, we can build a bold future on the certainty, the stability, and the security of God’s love.
The second great foundation for building a bold future is to build it on the certainty of the Word of God. When Joshua and Caleb said that God would bring them into “a land flow- ing with milk and honey,” (Exodus 3:8 NKJV) they were expressing hope in the specific promise given to Moses at the burning bush. Hope is a positive and cheerful expecta- tion of good. The hope we have is not just fluffy optimism, it is substantive hope anchored to the certainty of the Word of God.
For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us (2 Corinthians 1:20 NKJV)
Joshua and Caleb expected God to do what He promised. Their minds were illuminated with hope that gave them vision and courage for their future. If we firmly hold onto the promises of God, fear cannot cloud our vision and weaken our resolve. Instead, we can build a bold future on the certainty, stability, and security of the Word of God, “which lives and abides forever” (1 Peter 1:23 NKJV).
The third great foundation for building a bold future is to build it on the certainty of God’s presence. When Joshua and Caleb said, “do not . . . fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us . . .” (Numbers 14:9 NKJV), they expressed confidence in God’s empowering presence. They keenly understood what Rabbi Shaul (Paul) later wrote, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31 NKJV). Indeed, God was with them, yet we as Believers have an even greater privilege. “Messiah in you, the hope of glory!” (Colossians 1:27 TLV). This is the most sublime of all the promises of God. If we confidently know the Greater One dwells in us, we can valiantly overcome every giant in the land and build a bold future. “‘. . . and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen” (Matthew 28:20 NKJV). Kadima—forward . . . into a bold future!
