Title
We Enter By Faith
Scripture
Except for Caleb . . . and Joshua . . . you shall by no means enter the land which I swore I would make you dwell in.
(Numbers 14:30)
Devotional
Of the literal millions of God’s chosen people who Moses led out of bondage, only two entered the Promised Land-and they by grace. Here is why we need more than a deliverer. We need the Redeemer. It is one thing to be led out of the bondage of sin; it is quite another to be led into the Promised Land, a place called heaven. The difference between Caleb, Joshua, and the rest of the people is that these two had the faith that “is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not yet seen.” (1) The people had to see it to believe it. Joshua and Caleb believed it and thus saw it. They had obedient faith. Their faith was not in their ability or the strength of the people. Their faith was in the strength and ability of God. They, like Abraham, looked for “the city which has foundations, whose maker and builder is God.”(2) We, like them, will only enter by the same source of faith.
(1) Hebrews 11:1, (2) Hebrews 11:10
Text For The Day
Numbers 14:30: “Except for Caleb…and Joshua…you shall by no means enter the land which I swore I would make you dwell in.”
Thought For The Day
“He who loves God with all his heart dreads neither death, torment, judgment, nor hell, for perfect love opens a sure passage to God.” Thomas a Kempis, The Imitation of Christ.
Questions To Ponder
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What made Joshua and Caleb different from the other tribal leaders?
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What causes our fear to be stronger than our faith?
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How do we overcome fear by faith? We know that faith does overcome fear, but how do we apply it to do so?
Morning Study Guide
Defining: “Faith” is not easily defined. Yet a measure of it has been given to each one of us (Romans 12:3). The Scriptures describe it, but do not define it, saying, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,” Hebrews 11:1.
Referencing: “I (Joshua) was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land, and I brought back word to him as it was in my heart,” Joshua 14:7
Applying: Walk in the measure of faith that you have, considering those who have been recognized for their faith: Joshua, Caleb, Abraham, and the like.