Day 28: Follow The Leader

READ: Deuteronomy 31:8

“And the Lord is the One who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear, or be dismayed.”

Life with God is an adventure. Jesus paid the debt for our sinful hearts and enabled us to receive His free gift of salvation. As always, from the story of the Israelites to our stories, God not only wants to save us - He wants to be in relationship with us.

Following Jesus is one step at a time. And when our hearts are set on The One whose name is Love and we realize that Love is for us, following Him turns from obedience into our greatest joy.

As we enter this new season at Two Rivers Church, we want to have the “Spirit of Caleb.” We want the blessing that comes with obedience. We want God’s plan and timing to be accomplished in us and through us. We want God to expand, lengthen, and strengthen us for His Kingdom and for His Glory. God has asked us to join Him in what He is doing and we have answered with a resounding “yes!” Will you join us?

THINK:
If so, how?

PRAY & WORSHIP:
Ask the Lord to seal the work He has done through this study. Thank Him for His grace in teaching us, His gentleness in leading us, and His love that endures.

“But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it.”

Numbers 14:24

Day 27: He Will Accomplish It

READ: Isaiah 14:24

The Lord of hosts has sworn saying, “Surely, just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand.”

When God plans on doing something, He is going to do it with us or without us. God has cast a vision for Two Rivers Church of Expanding, Lengthening, and Strengthening and invites each one of us to take a part. It is His desire to have us join Him in what He is doing for He knows the blessing involved in following Him. If we don’t follow Him, we miss the blessing.

THINK:
-If you are choosing to join God in what He is doing at Two Rivers Church, how do you think you can be a part of the vision He gave us?
-More importantly, what do you think God wants to accomplish in your life right now?

PRAY & WORSHIP:
Take time with Jesus and ask Him those two questions above. Grab a pen and write down anything you ear. Pray.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for good and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11

Day 26: The Blessing or The Curse

READ: Deuteronomy 11:21-28; 28:1-15

God loves you (Ephesians 2:4-7). He longs to be gracious to you (Isaiah 30:18). He wants life to go well for you and for your sons and daughters (Deuteronomy 5:29, 33). As His children, nothing can separate us from His love, but our choices can separate us from His plan.

God wants us to join Him in His plans…for our good and for His glory. But as always, it’s a choice.

When we stand at a crossroad, we can choose a way that leads to blessing or a way that leads to harm. If we listen, we will hear God tell us which way to go (Isaiah 30:21).

THINK:
-What crossroad are you standing at right now? Which way will lead to God, abundant life, and generational blessing?
-Are you hesitating to go that way? Even though the way of blessing is costly, it is always worth it. Think about the cost of taking the other way. And remember, you never walk alone.

PRAY & WORSHIP:
Before Joshua is about to lead the Israelites across the Jordan into the land that God promised them, the Lord gives him instructions. Three times God says to Joshua, “Be strong and courageous.”

Could it be that the process of going where God wants us to go is hard and scary – requiring much strength and courage?

Ask the Lord to give you strength and courage to do what He is asking you to do. Pray for the leaders of Two Rivers Church that they would have the strength and courage to lead us where God is calling us in this season of expanding, lengthening, and strengthening.

Day 25: The Top Seven Take-Aways

READ: Deuteronomy 10:12-22; 11:18-20; 13:4

Reading through these passages from Deuteronomy and Numbers, you begin to see some repetition. God stresses a few key points that are highlighted below. These points come up throughout Scripture because they are the way to abundant life – which is what He wants for all of His children.

Remember. Remember God, His commandments, and what He has done for you in the past. Remember.
Follow. Follow Him. Walk the way He walks. Go where He goes.
Fear Him. Have a healthy respect for who God is. Give Him reverence. Be in awe and worship Him.
Love Him. With all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Serve Him. With all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Listen To His Voice. By listening to Him, we will know what to do, where to go, how to live. Hearing His voice is our constant comfort and greatest joy.
Cling to Him. Our nearness to God and dependence on Him secures our place on this narrow road. Jesus is the vine. We are the branches (John 15). Draw near and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).

THINK:
-Remember, follow, fear, love, serve, listen, and cling. What is your take-away?
-Is there a chronology to these 7 points? If so, what might it be?

PRAY & WORSHIP:
Ask the Lord these questions, and listen to what He has to say to you today.

Remember: What do You want/need me to remember right now?
Follow: Am I out of step with You in any way?
Fear: How do you want me to worship You in this hour?
Love: How can I express my love for You today?
Serve: What do You need me to do so that your plans might be accomplished this year?
Listen: Above all else, what words do You want me to hear right now from You?
Cling: How can I draw closer to You?

Write down what you hear the Lord saying to you. What words or Scriptures come to mind? What impressions did you receive? What pictures in your mind did you imagine? Are the responses you are receiving true to His Word? Pray more about what you have heard and received. Ask the Lord to elaborate. Then - remember, follow, fear, love, serve, listen, and cling to Him!

Day 24: With Us in Our Wanderings

READ: Deuteronomy 1:7

So, off they go – away from The Promised Land by way of the Red Sea to wander in the wilderness for forty years. Oh, how the heart of God must have broken. This was not His plan. Moses, Aaron, Caleb, and Joshua must have been brokenhearted too as they led the people away from all that they wanted, waited and longed for – home.

Moses recounts their wanderings in the book of Deuteronomy and also makes note of God’s constant presence and love in the midst of their punishment. Deuteronomy 2:7 says, “For the Lord your God has blessed you in all that you have done; He has known your wandering through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you; you have not lacked a thing.”

THINK:
-What is your response when you think of how God blesses you in all that you have done, knows your trouble, and walks with you through it?

PRAY & WORSHIP:
Thank and praise God for His constant presence, abiding love, and continual provision for us as individuals, families, and a church – despite ourselves.

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:38-39

Day 23: A False Repentance

READ: Numbers 14:39-45

Moses delivers all the bad news and, as would be expected, the sons of Israel mourn greatly over their sin. BUT the next morning, they take matters into their own hands and start their march up to the ridge of the hill country wanting to claim the land. Moses tells them the Lord is not with them, this is not His plan, and they will be struck down by the sword.

You can almost picture them with their fingers in their ears running up to the ridge, hoping against hope they can get their way – with God or without Him. It’s like a toddler’s temper tantrum: “Okay, okay, we were wrong, but whatever, let’s pretend it never happened. Just give us the land. Don’t talk about death and wandering around the wilderness. Give us our land! Hurry, we want it now!”

So, they keep going despite Moses’ instruction, despite the fact the Ark of the Covenant AND the Lord are still back at camp. They go on without them… and are struck and beaten down by the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived there.

THINK:
-The verb “repent” literally means to “turn around” and “change your ways.” Repenting of sin is not complete without change or a “turning around.” Feeling bad about our sin is never enough. What do you think about that?

PRAY & WORSHIP:
Repent of any sin in your life so you can stand blameless in the sight of the Lord, covered by the blood of Jesus Christ – so that He can accomplish His will in you and through you. Read and meditate on Psalm 139: 23-24.

Day 22: The Lord Is Just & Merciful

READ: Numbers 14:27-38

What exactly have the Israelites done to make the Lord angry? Let’s make a list:

• planned to stone the leaders, 14:10
• put the Lord to the test ten times, 14:22
• did not listen to God’s voice, 14:22
• spurned Him, 14:23 (Spurned means to “reject someone with disdain”.)
• grumbled against Him, 14:26, 29
• made complaints against the Lord, 14:27
• gathered together against Him, 14:35

What exactly is the Lord going to do in response?

• Those who have seen His glory and put Him to the test along with those who spurned Him, will not see the land He swore to their fathers, 14:23.
• God will do to them what the Israelites accused Him of doing; therefore, their corpses will fall in the wilderness, all the numbered men from twenty years old and up, 14:29; none of them will enter The Promised Land except Caleb and Joshua, 14:30, 37-8.
• HOWEVER, He will bring their children into the land even though they said they would become prey, 14:31.
• The Lord will make their sons shepherds for forty years in the wilderness, and they will suffer because of their parents’ unfaithfulness, 14:33.
• They will wander the wilderness for forty years and they will know His opposition, 14:34.

THINK:
-Often when reading excerpts of the Old Testament out of context, God can seem like a hot-tempered, exacting, and harsh Ruler. But when read in context, His patience, mercy, justice, long suffering, and unending love are quite apparent. In this passage, where do you see evidence of the Lord’s attributes?
-In your life, how has God shown you His justice and His great mercy?

PRAY & WORSHIP:
Thank God for His justice and mercy. Ask Him for the grace and wisdom to live a life of obedience and trust. Pray He keeps us from a life of rebellion where He, because of His love, has to discipline us. Pray that by His Spirit we will live a faithful life so that our children and the next generation will not suffer because of our unfaithfulness. Praise Him for the fact that He is for us, not against us!

Day 21: To Whom Much Is Given

READ: Numbers 14:22-26

With The Promised Land in sight, God tells Moses to turn around and set out for the wilderness by way of the Red Sea. Even though the punishment seems extreme, it’s not. Read closely.

The Israelites have now put the Lord to the test ten times. But more importantly, they have been witness to the glory of God on a daily basis. They have a pillar of smoke leading them by day, a pillar of fire illuminates the sky each evening, every morning bread magically appears on the ground outside their tents, and God has repeatedly shown them His signs and wonders – from the plagues of Egypt to the crossing of the Red Sea to seeing water flow from a rock.

They are without excuse. They have every reason to know and believe that God is mighty to save; and yet, with all He has shown and given them – they don’t. God has given them much and, yes, He expects them to trust Him completely.

THINK:
-Ask the Lord to remind you of His glory and signs He’s given to you…the prayers He answered, the needs He met, the help He sent, the peace He gave, the comfort He brought, etc.
-Let their memory inspire you to trust God now.

PRAY & WORSHIP:
Thank God for revealing Himself to you and to Two Rivers Church. Ask Him to show us His glory. If you are in need of a sign, ask Him for one. Pray that we will all listen to His voice and follow.

Day 20: The Spirit of Caleb

READ: Numbers 14:24

Well, not everyone will be excluded from The Promised Land. In verse 24, the Lord says, “But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it.”

The word “fully” in that verse reminds us that God is not asking us for partial obedience or to follow Him a lot; He is asking us for complete obedience and to follow Him all the time. There is great blessing in great obedience; and, there is fulfillment of promise when we follow God without compromise.

THINK:
-What does it mean to obey and follow God fully as opposed to partially? Are there specific directives the Lord is asking you to obey right now?
-When have you obeyed God and followed Him fully? What “promised land” did He give you as a result?

PRAY & WORSHIP:
Pray that God will give us the “spirit of Caleb” to follow Him fully – as individuals, families, and as a church. Pray and meditate on these song lyrics:

"I will go where You want me to go, stay if You want me to stay, do what You want me to do. I will be still and know You are God, trust with all of my heart, and have faith in Your plans for me. But, You must fill me up for my spirit is willing and my flesh is so weak. So, I open the gates and lift high the door of my heart."

Day 19: Not Without Consequence

READ: Numbers 14:22-35

Although the Lord has decided to pardon them, there are consequences for those who “put the Lord to the test” and “do not listen” to his voice. The Israelites will pay a steep price for their rebellion: For each day the spies spent in the land, they will bear their guilt a year. Forty days of spying now equals forty years of wandering around the wilderness.

God wants us to obey Him and His Word so that things will go well for us. In Deuteronomy 4:40, Israel is urged to obey God’s Law: “So you shall keep His statutes and His commandments which I am giving you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may live long on the land which the Lord your God is giving you for all time.”

Obeying God, though often times hard, is always worth it and always for our good. God longs to be gracious to us.

THINK:
-What consequences have you had to endure because you didn’t obey God? What did those consequences teach you?
-Mercy has been defined as “restrained judgment” or an “act where we are NOT given what we do deserve.” Can you see, along with the consequences, God’s mercy in your life?

PRAY & WORSHIP:
Ask the Lord for the strength to obey Him. Remember your acts of obedience. What fruit has come from them? Write them down and praise Him for it.
Ask God to help Two Rivers Church be a church that, above all, obeys the voice of the Lord.

Day 18: True Friends

READ: Numbers 14:12-21

Here we have the Lord - angry and planning to destroy and disown his people - with Moses desperately trying to talk Him out of it. It’s an amazing exchange between God and man – a true dialogue between friends. A couple of observations:

• God gets angry.
• He is emotional.
• God and Moses are friends.
• Moses is protective of God’s reputation.
• Moses feels free to reason with God and remind Him of His attributes.
• God feels free to change his mind.

THINK:
-Do any of those observations of God, Moses, and their relationship surprise/encourage you?
-How would you compare your friendship to God with Moses’ friendship to God? Is there more you want from your relationship with Him? If so, what?

PRAY & WORSHIP:
Pray to God like Moses spoke to Him – engage in the dialogue, friendship, and person of our Lord Jesus Christ. From Genesis through Revelation, it has been God’s desire to be in relationship with us. Pray and meditate on these verses - James 4:8, Psalm 139, and John 21:1. As God expands, lengthens, and strengthens Two Rivers Church’s ministry, pray He expands the amount of people who come to know Him, lengthens our reach to those needing Him, and strengthens our resolve to know Him better each day.

Day 17: Remember When

READ: Numbers 14:11

We are forgetful. So were the Israelites. What would our lives be like if we lived in a constant state of remembrance of all that God has done for us? From sending His son Jesus Christ to present day realities of His grace, love, and mercy in our lives, God has done great things among us.

When the Lord appears at the tent of meeting and talks to Moses, He sounds frustrated, upset, and hurt: “How long will this people despise Me? And how long will they not believe in Me?” God himself is amazed by their unbelief – especially since He has performed such mighty signs in their midst.

The problem? They forgot.

THINK:
-Remember all God has done for you. Remember the signs He has given you to help you trust and follow Him. Whatever it is you are facing in your life right now, is there a memory that will refresh your faith and help you trust God in this moment?
-Remember the start of Two Rivers Church and all God has done to establish Two Rivers to this day.

PRAY & WORSHIP:
Ask the Holy Spirit to teach and remind you of all the things God has done for you over the years (John 14:26). List events in your life, your family’s life, and in Two Rivers Church that reflect a God who is living, active, engaged, loving, powerful, and at work. Remember and praise Him.

Day 16: The Glory of the Lord

READ: Numbers 14:10-11

The cry to stone them echoed through the camp when suddenly the presence of the Lord God Almighty appeared in the tent of meeting to everyone present. Can you imagine the hush that must have settled over the crowd as the glory of the Lord beamed out from the meeting place? Along with the growing silence, there must have also been a few “uh-oh’s.”

When the presence of the Lord manifests itself or you feel His spirit rise in you, there is nothing quite like it. It’s as if everything comes to order, truth is crystallized, and only what matters stands. And if - when God’s glory appears - you are in the midst of foolishness and rebellion, the feelings of regret and shame are strong.

THINK:
-Can you remember a time in your childhood when you acted out rebelliously (drawing on walls, shoving oatmeal in air vents, or torturing a little brother) and a parent walked into the room?
-If your relationship with your parent was one of love and respect, how did that feel? What was your response?

PRAY & WORSHIP:
Ask God to show you His glory – just as Moses asked. Pray that the King of Glory may come into our hearts, our homes, our lives, and our church.

“Who is the King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O gates, and lift them up, O ancient doors that the King of Glory may come in! Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of Glory. Selah.”

(Psalm 24:8-10)

Day 15: Complete Disobedience

READ: Numbers 14:10

Well, the congregation obviously did not have ears to hear the Word of the Lord spoken by Joshua and Caleb. As the crowd cried out to stone them, I am sure Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and Caleb looked on in disbelief. After Joshua and Caleb’s encouraging exhortation about the good land, God’s promises, presence, and power - all the Israelites can think to do is stone them!? Exasperating.

As a reader, if you are frustrated by the Israelites’ response – you can only imagine how God felt. He has promised them victory. All they have to do is have the courage to walk it out and they will finally be able to go home to a new land flowing with milk and honey. They have the instructions, God’s presence, and the promise of home to motivate – and yet, all they can think to do is stone the leaders. They couldn’t have made a worse decision. A fatal error for sure.

THINK:
-Think about when you were at a crossroad of decision and remember your choice. Did you make a right or a left turn?
-Did you follow God or rebel? What was the outcome?

PRAY & WORSHIP:
Pray that God exposes any foolish or wicked way in us. Ask Him to save us from ourselves – our fear, rebellion, apathy, or lack of faith. If you are at a crossroad of decision, take time to ask the Lord which way you should go. Lastly, celebrate all He has done and will do as we continue to believe Him.

Day 14: Things Unseen

READ: Numbers 14:9b

Even though the Israelites are looking pretty unimpressive from a faith standpoint in this chapter, when you think about it - in a way - you can’t blame them. Reading Exodus and Leviticus is exhausting as you imagine them exiting Egypt, the travel, the magnitude of the crowd, setting up camps, practicing the multitude of laws given, eating manna every day, and keeping faith when it’s hot and hard. Their lives were difficult - despite the glory of God that surrounded them.

Now, they are on the brink of entering The Promised Land and they have to fight large people and conquer fortified cities? How can they? It does seem like too much. And, it is. But, followers of God deal with challenges with more at their disposal than can be seen – we have the unseen. For the Israelites, they can do it because of the unseen forces at work. God is not only going with them into battle, but He is removing their opposition’s protection - making them easy prey. That changes everything.

THINK:
-Think about situations in your life that seem impossible and overwhelming. What are you forgetting about that will turn the impossible into possible?
-How does the vision for Two Rivers Church to expand, lengthen, and strengthen seem like too much? How do you think God will intervene to accomplish his purposes and plan?

PRAY & WORSHIP:
Pray for faith, hope, and trust as you allow God to work in your life and the life of Two Rivers.

Day 13: The Do’s and The Don’ts

READ: Numbers 14:8-9a

It’s always good to receive marching orders - you know, what you need to do and what you don’t need to do. Israel’s leaders made it clear and simple. The “Do Part”: Please the Lord. The “Don’t Part”: Don’t rebel against the Lord; and, definitely don’t be afraid.

Two ingredients come to mind that would make it possible to please the Lord and not rebel or be afraid - faith and trust. In Hebrews 11:6 it says, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him.” So, as we believe in Him and things unseen – we are pleasing God.

Psalm 27 titled, “A Psalm of Fearless Trust in God,” sums up King David’s attitude towards fear and his ability to be confident in all circumstances. David declares who God is and what He does for him enabling him to have perfect peace and victory over the enemy. If we completely trust God – trust in His character, promises, love, purposes, and presence – wouldn’t it be possible (if not almost easy) to remain obedient and proceed without fear – like David?

THINK:
-Take time to read Hebrews 11 and Psalm 27.
-What would you be able to do, how would you be able to proceed in your life if you walked in complete faith and trust in Jesus Christ?

PRAY & WORSHIP:
Remember, prayer is a dialogue - not a monologue. So while you pray, take time to listen to the voice of God as He encourages you to walk in faith and trust Him completely. What is He saying to you?

Day 12: The Big If

READ: Numbers 14:8

Joshua and Caleb remind the Israelites that the Lord God Almighty will bring them into this great land and give it to them. But there is one stipulation: God will do it IF He delights in them. If God’s people please Him, He will give them the land. Seems simple enough; or, is it asking too much?

There are a lot of “ifs” in the Bible. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God says he will heal his people’s land IF they will humble themselves and pray. In John 15:7, Jesus says IF we abide in Him and His words abide in us, we can ask for anything and it will be done for us. His promises warrant our participation - whether it is simply opening our hands to receive His gift or leaving all we know and love to follow Him. God often requires we do something to receive something.

Whether He is asking you for a certain action, response, commitment, or change - you can be sure that IF you choose to obey, it will be for good.

THINK:
-What pleases God? Is insisting the Israelites be pleasing to Him too much to ask?
-How do you respond when God’s promises require something of you?

PRAY & WORSHIP:
Ask the Lord what He is requiring of you so He can fulfill His promise to you. Ask if He also wants you to do something to help accomplish the vision He has set for Two Rivers Church. Be still. Listen. And remember, He loves us more than we can imagine.

Day 11: Speaking Truth

READ: Numbers 14:7

While Moses and Aaron lie on the ground, Joshua and Caleb (with torn robes) appeal to the congregation – with the truth. As eyewitnesses of The Promised Land, Joshua and Caleb remind their people that the land which God promised, the land they are supposed to conquer, is not only good - it is exceedingly good. Beyond expectation.

THINK:
-Have you ever gotten yourself so worked up over a situation that you’ve bought into the lies and exaggeration of what could happen? Have you ever, like the Israelites, let those around you stir up your emotions and play on your fears?
-If so, what did it feel like to hear a voice of reason and encouragement speak into your predicament?

PRAY & WORSHIP:
-Meditate and pray on John 8:31-2: Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
-Listen to Casting Crown’s song, “Voice of Truth.” Let the chorus inspire the “spirit of Caleb” in you:

“But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story.

The Voice of Truth says ‘do not be afraid.’

The Voice of Truth says ‘this is for My glory.’

Out of all the voices calling out to me, I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth.”

Day 10: Beyond Words

READ: Numbers 14:5-6

After Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and Caleb witnessed their people give in to despair and start appointing a new leader to take them back to Egypt, they were beyond words. Moses and Aaron fell prostrate on the ground while Joshua and Caleb tore their robes. Picture it.

In the Bible, when someone tore their clothes it was a sign of great distress, grief, surrender, or desperation. Falling on your face in this situation seems to communicate similar emotions. Reflecting on the scenario, what else could they do? Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and Caleb were beyond words because they knew what God had for His people. They knew what the Israelites were turning away from and going back to. They knew their fear and despair was unwarranted because God was going to give them the victory. Knowing all that, how could they not fall on their faces and tear their clothing in the presence of the congregation?

THINK:
-What do you do, what do you say when you are full of faith regarding a certain situation and others are not?
-What led the Israelites to this all out rebellion?
-How do you think Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and Caleb felt in this moment?

PRAY & WORSHIP:
Pray for Two River’s campaign leadership team and their committees: Brad Brinson, Mike Sommi, Charlie Slagle, Robyn Wagner, Dick Moe, Tom Johnson, Connie Bailey, Randy Smith, Bill Bauer, Harry Page, Claude Fraser, and Steve Johnson.

Day 9: Is Familiar Better?

READ: Numbers 14:3-4

When you really think about what the Israelites were wishing for, you see how crazy their thinking had become. Did they really want to go back to Egypt where they lived as slaves? Had they forgotten about the hard labor and abuse? How could their old lives - void of any personal freedom - be better than fighting for the land God promised them, a land flowing with milk and honey?

Humans are funny. Sometimes when we are scared the familiar sounds better – no matter how awful it is. We prefer what we know to the unknown. We would rather have the predictable than change – even if it is a life of slavery.

THINK:
-What is “your Egypt?” Is there anything in your life that you need to be free of? Is there something you need to walk away from? Are you not doing it because in some sort of crazy way it seems easier to accept what is than to get up and make a change?

PRAY & WORSHIP:
A phrase from the worship song, “Trading My Sorrows,” is: “I’m trading my sorrow, I’m trading my shame. I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord…” Ask the Lord if there is anything you need to trade in. Say yes to what the Lord wants to give you instead. Pray against the lies of the enemy (Satan) who wants you to believe a life of slavery is better than The Promised Land.

Day 8: So You Wanna Go Back To Egypt?

READ: Numbers 14:3

There’s a song from the 80’s written by Christian singer / songwriter, Keith Green, entitled, “So You Wanna Go Back To Egypt?” Verse one goes like this:

“So you wanna go back to Egypt, where it’s warm and secure. Are you sorry you bought this one-way ticket when you thought you were sure? You wanted to live in the Land of Promise, but now it’s getting so hard. Are you sorry you’re out here in the desert, instead of your own backyard?”

I think if Keith Green gave a concert at the Israelites’ camp that night a resounding “Yes!” would’ve been their response. How often when the going gets tough, when God asks us to suffer, wait, endure, or fight do we just want the warmth and safety of our “own backyards?”

THINK:
-Why are we often surprised by the hardship?
-Read and meditate on James 1:1-12, Mark 8:34, Romans 8:31-37.
-In this passage from Numbers, what are the Israelites focusing on? What are they forgetting?

PRAY & WORSHIP:
Spend time remembering who God is and worship Him for all of it. Ask Him to reveal to you what He is going to give you so that you can conquer your fear, face the challenge, obey His command, and step into His vision. Write it down. Give thanks.

Day 7: Completely Undone

READ: Numbers 14:1-3

Can you picture Moses, Aaron, Caleb, and Joshua watching as despair washes over the camp like a tidal wave? Standing in silence and utterly helpless as the Israelites yell, cry, complain, moan, and wallow in self-pity all night long. What a night it must have been for them as they witnessed their people collapse with hopelessness wishing they were dead. What a very long night.

This is what fear and lies give birth to – despair, self-pity, and hopelessness. I wonder if the spies who led them to this hopeless state regretted their words as the cries of the Israelites rang out through the dark night.

THINK:
-Words are powerful. Lies or exaggeration resulting from unchecked fear can change the course of a day, event, or even a life. How can you bring life and hope to yourself, those around you, and Two Rivers Church with your words?
-What are some Scriptures that speak about the importance of truth and the power of words? What does the Bible say about fear? How can we encourage each other when facing challenges?

PRAY & WORSHIP:
Lift up the leaders of Two Rivers Church and pray the Lord continues to give them strength. Give thanks for the words of life that have been spoken to you. Remember them. Ask the Lord to help you not give in to fear. Ask Him to guard your heart and mind while helping you control what words come out of your mouth. And, thank God for His unending grace for us. Amazing grace.

Day 6: Grasshoppers

READ: Numbers 13:32-33

Have you ever found yourself exaggerating or flat out lying about something you were afraid to do? Well, here we have the spies (obviously petrified about going out to win The Promised Land) worried about possible “Caleb type people” in the crowd, who (despite the impossibility of the situation) just might foolishly rally everyone into thinking they could do it.

So, just to make sure that didn’t happen, the spies tell a few lies. They tell the poor Israelites that the land they spied on devours its people. Yup, devours. And, the people are not only of great size, but they are the Nephilim. Yup, THE Nephilim (beings with a reputation for being gigantic and evil). Lastly, the Hebrews looked like grasshoppers compared to them. Literal grasshoppers. Tiny. Miniscule.

Well, for those who were contemplating lining up behind Caleb, it was over. The spies, instead of being God’s leaders, became stumbling blocks to the Israelites – filling them with fear and doubt, leading them astray, and causing them to lose heart.

THINK:
-How do we submit to God’s directives when what He is calling us to is big, crazy, petrifying, full of risk and possible loss?
-Is there anything you are exaggerating about because of your fear?

PRAY & WORSHIP:
Ask the Lord to enable you to hear His voice of truth. What is He saying to you? Pray about the things in your life that are causing you to be fearful. Write them down if you need to. Ask God to replace your fear with His peace and instruction, His strength and obedience. Meditate on who God is and what He is able to accomplish when we are weak and full of faith.

Day 5: A Cry of Fear

READ: Numbers 13:31

The people consider all that the spies presented – the good, bad, challenging, and Caleb’s cry of confidence to attack immediately. But, before they land on a response another cry goes out from the spies who went with Caleb – a cry of fear:

“We can’t do it! They are too strong!”

The Israelites minds must have been racing:

“Maybe they are too strong…what did they say about fortified cities? How do you conquer a fortified city? We’re not exactly a trained army…After decades of making bricks I don’t know if I am up for this…But, Caleb said we could do it…I don’t know…maybe this is too much…”

Fear breeds doubt and now there were plenty of both to go around.

THINK: 
-Can you relate to any of this? Think of a time in your life when faced with a challenge and you gave in to fear. Think of another time when you chose “the spirit of Caleb.”
-What fears are you facing?
-How do we combat fear and not feed it?
-What is the good news when our challenges really are too big for us?

PRAY AND WORSHIP:
Pray that you and Two Rivers Church will respond to challenges without fear; but rather with truth, courage, and the knowledge that our God is with us and mighty to accomplish everything He has ordained.

Romans 8:15, “For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’”

Isaiah 41:10, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

I John 4:18a, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear.”

2 Timothy 1:7, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

Day 4: Are You A Complainer or A Conqueror?

READ: Numbers 13:30

Caleb, one of the twelve spies, tries to silence the crowd and get them to stop complaining against Moses. I can only imagine the complaints: “How much do you think we can handle? How can you expect us to go up against giants? Why won’t God just give us our land?” And then there’s Caleb – full of faith, courage, confidence, and enthusiasm shouting:

“We should attack now and take the land;

We are strong enough to conquer it!”

His words hang in the air. How will they respond? Will a shout go out? Will fists start pumping? Will the banners be hoisted and the trumpets sound?

THINK:
-Why do the Israelites complain against Moses? Why was Caleb, in comparison, so fired up and confident?
-Why do we complain and what keeps us from having the spirit of Caleb – the spirit of a warrior?

PRAY & WORSHIP:
Ask God to make you aware of any negative, grumbling way in you. Ask Him to help you figure out the cause of your negativity and help you adjust your mindset to His. Ask the Lord to give us the spirit of Caleb, to know what Caleb knew. Sing a new song.

Day 3: Good News. Bad News.

READ: Numbers 13:21-29

Well, forty days have passed and the spies are back. Moses, Aaron, and the Israelites gather to hear the report: “The good news is the land is rich and fertile. The grape clusters are huge and there’s an abundance of pomegranates and figs. The bad news is the people are rather large and the cities very well protected. Even worse, there are descendants of giants living in the land and they are big and strong.” The Israelites start to unravel. Not the report they were hoping for.

THINK:
-What’s your response when the report back is challenging? What do you do when you’re told the journey is going to be hard? How do you respond when God hasn’t made it easy?

PRAY & WORSHIP:
Ask God to give you faith, courage, and anything else you will need for the challenges ahead. Pray that the Two Rivers family will trust God completely as we follow Him and His plan for our church and His kingdom. Thank the Lord for all He has been able to teach you when faced with challenges and obstacles. Remember all God was able to produce in you and through you when faced with your last hardship. Don’t forget to listen for His responses to you and write them down.

Day 2: Reconnaissance Mission

READ: Numbers 13:17-20

Is this Moses or General Schwarzkopf? I don’t know about you, but I’m impressed. Here we have (as God described him in chapter 12) the “humblest man on earth” preparing his leaders for their first recon mission. Moses clearly and unequivocally lays out the plan – where they are to go, the questions they need to answer, and what they need to bring back to camp. His combination of humility and authority is inspiring.

He also seems to have a deep understanding of how life on Earth works. Even though the land of Canaan had been promised to the Israelites, Moses doesn’t sit back and wait for its delivery. Instead, Moses readies himself and his people to go out and claim the promise through leadership, strategy, focus, and some good recon work.

THINK:
-Again, reflect on God’s promises to you. What reconnaissance work needs to happen in order for you to claim that promise.
-How is God calling you to stand alongside the leaders of Two Rivers Church? Is He calling you to take on a leadership role?

PRAY & WORSHIP:
Thank God for the leaders of Two Rivers Church. Ask Him to continue giving them strategies for our mission. Ask how you can encourage, support, and join them. Ask the Lord to reveal His strategies for your life. Pray for humility like Moses as we pursue the promises of God.

Day 1: Spying On The Promised Land

READ: Numbers 13:1-16

In this passage, the Lord gives Moses a command. He is to pick 12 leaders to go and spy on the land God is “giving to the people of Israel.” A question comes to mind: Why spy on a land that God already assured you would be yours one day? Immediately I am reminded of the truth about promises. Often times when God gives us a promise we assume (hope) it will come to us on a silver platter with a bow around it. But more often than not, we have to claim the promise – fight for it, go out and get it, suffer for it. I guess it wasn’t any different for the Israelites. The Promised Land waited for them, but it would have to be fought for and won.

THINK:
-What has God promised you? How have you had to fight for that promise? What do you need to do to claim God’s promises to you?
-How might any of this relate to Two Rivers Church and our new season of expanding, lengthening, and strengthening?

PRAY & WORSHIP: 
Thank God for the promises He has already fulfilled in your life and remember what you needed to do to attain those promises. Take some time to remember His promises to you. Ask Him to reveal what you need to do to claim those promises. List them too. Ask the Lord about his promises to Two Rivers and what they have to do with you. Listen. Wait in silence. Write down any thoughts, responses, or impressions.

Intro

In the fall of 2011, the Lord made it clear that we are to expand, lengthen, and strengthen in order to continue fulfilling the mission He gave Two Rivers at its inception:

“To welcome people into a caring community that honors the Word and Spirit of Christ so that a lifestyle of prayer, worship, discipleship and service is multiplied locally and globally.”

The theme verse that emerged from this season of prayer was Isaiah 54:2: “Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes.”

As we make plans and move forward with the mission, we would be remiss to continue without sustaining focused prayer and study specifically geared to this season ahead.

So, for the next month you are invited to join us on this 28 day devotional as we, the Two Rivers Church family, ready ourselves for all God has planned.

As we study His word, pray, and worship, it is our prayer that we will draw closer to God and catch His vision for our lives and His church. In this next month, we trust you will receive insight as to not only what God wants for Two Rivers Church but also, more importantly, what God wants for you.

A few things to keep in mind before you start:

• Don’t forget to actually READ the noted Scripture passage before going through the day’s devotional. Without the context, it won’t make much sense.
• Pray before each devotional and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you. It’ll make a difference. 
• Have a notebook with you so you can jot down your thoughts and record your prayers. It’ll help. 
• And, if you receive spiritual insights for yourself, share it with a friend. If you receive insights for Two Rivers Church, share it with us at www.tworiverschurch.org/28daydevo. It is our desire to have this study based in community and shared with each other.

The text used for the bulk of this study is from Numbers, chapters 13 and 14. When the Expand, Lengthen, and Strengthen (ELS) Prayer Team met back in February 2012 and asked the Lord for direction in regard to our prayer and worship initiatives, He clearly led us to this passage. So with that confidence, we offer this study.

On behalf of the ELS Prayer Team (Robyn Wagner, Bruce Wagner, Danny Matthews, Wendy Long, Rudy Torres, and Debbie Torres), blessings on you as you follow Him!

Sincerely, Eileen Sommi