WATCH OUT FOR 'BUTS'

Today's reading: Numbers 13-16

"...We arrived in the land you sent us to see, and it is indeed a magnificent country--a land flowing with milk and honey. Here is some of its fruit as proof. But the people living there are powerful and their cities and towns are fortified and very large. We also saw the descendants of Anak who are living there!" Numbers 13: 27-28 NLT

The scouting party was back from their 40-day fact finding mission. A mission that sent them out to gather intel on the new land the Lord had given them.

They began their account by stating that God was right--it was a great place.

They continued their statement with regaling the land's bounty--with a sample of one cluster of grapes that it took two men to carry.

Their summary took a nosedive when they inserted 'but' into their report.

But--the people are powerful.

But--the cities and towns are strong and large.

But--we saw some Anakites and they are even bigger and stronger than we were told.

A new land. A large portion of real estate that was gifted to the Israelite nation. An awesome new start provided by God himself.

And they focused on the 'buts'.

Do we do that? Do we want all God has for us, but stumble over the effort it might take to accept His gracious gift? Do we question the logistics of what He tells us is ours?

Are we sure God is good, and kind, and loving and generous, but question what He sees as abilities in us as to how we might grab hold of His blessings and hang on to them?

What 'buts' are you struggling with? What 'buts' are keeping you out of your Promised Land? What 'buts' are allowing your residency to be in lack rather than in His fullness?