Trust or Turn Tail

Well, good morning again. Very honored and privileged to be behind the pulpit this morning. Every Sunday, the way the Word of God is handled, delivered, exposited, preached, and taught from this pulpit, I know it nourishes me, and I'm sure it does the same for all of you. So I'm very humble, very honored to be before you this morning, and I pray that this morning we can continue to move forward as a church, even in the absence of our pastor, praying for Pastor Chris. He's out of town with Brother John O and doing the 100th episode of Brother John O's podcast, so praying for him for sure.

In an attempt this morning just to come alongside of Pastor Chris and what he's been preaching the last couple of weeks out of Hebrews chapter 4, talking specifically about the promised rests that we have as believers. This morning I would like to look at Numbers chapter 13 with some overflow into chapter 14. There's a lot here. You could have numerous many sermons, if you will, within what we will talk about this morning. Some of the text will just be sort of summarized, and then we will really dive in to certain parts, and I hope by the end of all this it comes together for God's glory this morning.

So this morning I would like to open with a statement and then pose a challenge. Here's the statement, "Your view of God this morning, my view of God this morning, our view of God this morning determines everything about all things." Our view of God this morning determines everything about all things. And here's the challenge for us this morning, and it's a fairly simple one. Will you trust God, trust in His promises, or will you turn tail? Before we can accept this challenge and answer that question, let's first understand those two terms. Trust.

Trust is defined as a firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. Trust firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. Turn tail. There's actually a definition for that term, turn tail. Turn tail is defined as turn around and run away from. Turn around and run away from. See I believe this morning turn tail, turning tail is often motivated by fear. See fear, fear it stirs all sorts of emotions inside of us. Fear creates confusion and chaos in our lives, resulting in us lacking trust and oftentimes turning tail. Let's talk about fear for just one moment.

There are two types of fear. First type is a healthy fear. A healthy fear alerts us when something is or may be wrong. Healthy fear alerts us when something is or may be wrong. I think about when I was growing up and even today, growing up we spent a lot of time in the woods. Even today my parents do a pretty good job of continuing to remind us, especially this time of the year, to watch out for snakes. Watch out for snakes. Watch out for snakes. We do that same thing with our children. I say that to give you an illustration here.

I believe that is the sort of healthy fear that we are talking about here because what that does is gives us an awareness. It doesn't keep us from going into the woods and doing some things that we enjoy doing. It just makes us alert, makes us aware. Maybe instead of stepping over this fallen tree without looking on the other side, now I have an awareness to look on the other side and make sure I'm not about to step onto a snake. So it's a healthy fear. It alerts us. It gives us awareness of when something is or may be wrong. But then secondly, unhealthy fear. Unhealthy fear. Unhealthy fear is a response to an imagined danger that isn't real.

A response to an imagined danger that isn't real. I think about our children as I try and give you an illustration of this. I think about our children. Sarah purchased a series of books. I think it was Ella Bella. This one book in particular, it was Ella Bella and the Ballerina, or Ella Bella Ballerina and the Nutcracker. That was it, right? That was it. That was the title of the book. Ella Bella Ballerina and the Nutcracker. And there was this sort of villain in this book, The Mouse King.

And I remember we would read that book sometimes at night before going to bed and one of our children, that child will remain nameless, was deathly afraid of the Mouse King. It was an imagined danger that isn't real. And let's be honest, even if it was real, it's just a mouse. But for him, it was terrifying. Well, I guess maybe I gave you guys a clue because I just said him. So that's an unhealthy fear, right? A response to an imagined danger that isn't real.

But getting serious this morning to dive a little deeper, God's Word teaches us that we should have reverence toward him, a deep respect for him, and that we should fear God in a healthy way, a way that keeps us drawing close to him, not drifting away from him, a way that reminds us of our dependence and need for him in our life. I think about 1 Samuel 12, 24. Only fear the Lord and serve him in truth with all your heart, for consider what great things he has done for you. See, God does not give us a spirit of fear. He does not desire unhealthy fear to exist in our lives.

And Timothy 1, 7, a very well-known verse, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." No fear, instead power, love, a sound mind. Church, I believe that when we believe in Christ, when we are in God's Word trusting in his promises, fear will have no place in our life. We will have a sound mind. We will delight in his presence, and we will trust his promises. However, when we live in unhealthy fear, I assure you that turning tail will be your typical response. Think about the current climate we live in today. Everyone has a voice. Everyone wants to be heard. Everyone is right no matter what.

So many voices, so many opinions. Truth has become relative. See if you are not rooted in God's promises, in his truth, then of course an unhealthy fear will creep into your life. We will constantly wrestle with questions such as, "Who should I trust?" "Who can I trust?" "How can I figure all of this out?" "What should I do?" Again, the question, the challenge this morning, "Will you trust God or turn tail?" In this morning's passage, we will see an account of a couple of individuals that trusted God. You will unfortunately see some others that turn tail.

If you open your Bibles to Numbers 13, if you are not there already, Numbers 13, as you turn there, let me give you some background, some context before we jump in. The theme of Numbers is the gradual fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham that his descendants would be the people of God and occupy the Promised Land, Canaan. A couple of realities of God that we find in Numbers. First, we see God's presence with Israel in the cloud of fire over the tabernacle. We see this in chapter 9. We also see God's correcting wrath upon his own disobedient people.

As seen all throughout the Old Testament, the repeated displays of unbelief by Israel delays their entry into the Promised Land and cost many lives. However, even in his wrath, God did not give up on his people. By the end of the book, the Israelites are poised to enter the Promised Land. In this passage, we will see a set of activities that will lead to the Israelites turning tail. Turning tail on God and on the Promised Land. They even propose a return to Egypt. Think about that for one second. A return to Egypt. In Numbers chapter 13 and 14, we will see that some spies are sent out on a mission. The mission is accomplished.

The spies report of their mission and then the people react to that report. As we unpack this text, we will be challenged to consider a few things. How have we? How are we? How will we respond to God? Let's get honest this morning. Maybe even a little vulnerable before God this morning. Has our response been? Is our response now? Will our response be one of trust or one of turning tail? So let's look at the text this morning, Numbers chapter 13 begins with 12 tribal leaders being selected to go from Puran to spy out the land of Canaan. We commonly refer to this group of individuals as the 12 spies.

If you've been around church for some time, you are familiar with this passage. Probably had many Sunday school lessons on this passage. These individuals are asked to bring back a report concerning the quality of the land. And they are asked to provide information on the inhabitants of the land. Look at verses 1 and 2 with me from Numbers chapter 13. Numbers chapter 13 verses 1 and 2.

"And the Lord spoke to Moses saying, 'Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel, from each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, everyone a leader among them.'" One very important note here before we go any further. One very important note. So as this episode is about to take place, did you catch what God says to Moses in verse 2? Did you catch the promise that God gives to Moses in verse 2? Let's read verse 2 again.

"Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel, from each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, everyone a leader among them." The Lord says to Moses to send spies to spy out the land that what? He is giving them. See this land was already theirs. It was already promised to them. All they had to do was trust God and receive His promise to them. But let's see if that's what happens. In verses 3 through 16, I'll sort of summarize this section of chapter 13. "The spies are selected and sent out on mission." The important note here, Joshua and Caleb are two of the spies that are selected.

We will hear more about them in just a minute. When we continue through chapter 13 verses 17 through 24, we have an account of the spies accomplishing their mission. So 3 through 16, the spies are selected. They go out 17 through 24. They accomplish their mission. A couple of things to note here. They were instructed in verse 20 to be of good courage as they went out on mission. Verse 20, "Whether the land is rich or poor, and whether there are forests there or not, be of good courage and bring some of the fruit of the land.

Now the time was the season of the first ripe grapes." John MacArthur says about this mission, and I quote, "The spies were to determine the nature of the land itself, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the people." This mission, if you study this, was an impressive mission. They covered roughly 220 miles and observed a land that was quite incredible. A land just as God had described and promised. Imagine that. Just as God had described and promised. So that brings us to verse 25, and here's where we will sort of dive in this morning and begin to unpack the text.

In verses 25 through 33 of Numbers chapter 13, we have an account of the spies report from their mission. So here's where I would like to dive in. So starting in verse 25, "And they returned from spying out the land after 40 days. Now they departed and came back to Moses and Aaron and all of the congregation of the children of Israel in the wilderness of Paran at Kadesh. They brought back word to them and to all the congregation and showed them the fruit of the land. Then they told him and said, 'We went to the land where you sent us.

It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.'" Verse 28, "Nevertheless, the people who dwell in the land are strong. The cities are fortified and very large. Moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south. The Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the mountains, and the Canaanites dwell by the sea along the banks of the Jordan.

Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, 'Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.' But the men who had gone up with him said, 'We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.' And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, 'The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants.' And all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature.

There we saw the giants and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight." So based on this text we have a very vivid and sort of exaggerated report, right? The report actually begins in verse 27. So looking at verse 27, "Then they told him and said, 'We went to the land where you sent us. The valley flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.'" See the spies report painted a picture of a beautiful land. As mentioned, the report begins in verse 27 with a description of a land that matches up exactly with God's description. Remember this is the land he promised to deliver to the Israelites.

And based on their report, it was just as God had described. However look at verse 28 with me, "Nevertheless, the people who dwell in the land are strong. The cities are fortified and very large. Moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak there." Did you notice the word that is used at the beginning of verse 28? "Nevertheless." See this word, "Nevertheless," brings about a shift in the attitude of the spies. And this shift in attitude begins to influence the people. We begin to see this picture of those who trust versus those that turn tail. Those that turn tail.

While they gave a good report of the land, they gave a bad report in relation to the people of the land. They said things like, "The people who dwell in the land are strong. The cities are fortified and very large. We are not able to go up against the people. The inhabitants of the land are stronger than we are. The land devours its inhabitants. The inhabitants of the land are like giants and we are like grasshoppers compared to them." How quickly they lost sight of the promise of God. How quickly they lost sight of the power of God. Think back to verse 2, right?

"Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel. From each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, everyone a leader among them." Don't forget God promised. God said He was giving them this land. They allowed unhealthy fear. Remember unhealthy fear, a response to an imagined danger that isn't real? They allowed unhealthy fear to creep in. The potential difficulty of the situation deterred them from trusting in God feeling as though the problem or the challenge was too big for God. Now let's be real with ourselves for one moment this morning. We still do this today, right? We still do this today.

We say things like, "I know I should stop drinking, but I know I should kick this drug addiction, but I know I should forgive this person, but I know God commands me to share my faith, but I know I am supposed to serve, but I know I should join the church, but I know I should tithe, but I know God is calling me to be a missionary. I know God is calling me to work with troubled youth. I know God is calling me to care for orphans and widows, but..." So don't be too critical just yet. A couple of spies display trust in God. Caleb and Joshua, we mentioned them earlier. In verse 30, we see Caleb trusting in God.

Verse 30, "Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, 'Let's go up at once and take possession for we are well able to overcome it.'" Caleb quieted the people. MacArthur says this about Caleb's response, and I quote, "The verb quieted usually occurs in the form of interjection." In other words, "hush," he hushed the people. This implies that the report of the spies evoked a vocal reaction from the people. Caleb concurred with the report of the other spies, but called the people to go up and take the land, knowing that with God's help, they were able to overcome the strong people.

William McDonald says, "Caleb, speaking for Joshua and himself, expressed confidence that Israel would be victorious." Here's how I would explain this in my simple, improper English being from South Louisiana. In my mind, I see Caleb as being like a fiery cajun. If you've ever met one, you understand what I'm saying. In my mind, I see Caleb saying, "Come on, man. Let's go." Like G-E-A-U-X. "Let's go." Right? This isn't anything new. Caleb says, "We are well able to overcome." Caleb never lost sight of who was fighting the battle. He never lost sight of who had already promised the land to the Israelites. God. God had promised.

Church, listen, it was never their battle to fight. It was never their battle to fight. It was never their battle to win or lose. Their responsibility was to trust in God's promise to deliver the land and not turn tail. This brings us to number four here. This bad report given by the majority of the spies led to the people's reaction found in Chapter 14. Flip over to Chapter 14, Verses 1 through 10. Numbers Chapter 14, Verses 1 through 10. All the congregation lifted up their voices and cried. The people wept that night.

All the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron and the whole congregation said to them, "If only we had died in the land of Egypt or if only we had died in this wilderness, why has the Lord brought us to this land to fall by the sword that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?" So they said to one another, "Let us select a leader and return to Egypt." Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel.

But Joshua, the son of Nun, and Caleb, the son of Jafuna, 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 pass 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," and all the congregation said, "To stone them with stones." Now the glory of the Lord appeared in the Tabernacle meeting before all the children of Israel. So in verses 1 through 4, we see the people react very strongly to the negative report that was given. Here has completely set in panic, confusion, chaos, are on full display here. Look at verses 2 and 3 with me. "And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, 'If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness.

Why has the Lord brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?'" Their comments clearly challenge both God's promises, God's purposes, and God's power. You see this picture of the people dismissing the fact that God had promised them the land, because to them it seems to be an impossible task. Panic has completely set in. According to verse 2, it would have been better to die in the land of Egypt, or for them to have died in the wilderness. Think about that. They are now filled with fear.

They are filled with so much fear, unhealthy fear, that in verse 3, listen to this, in verse 3, "They accused the Lord of delivering them from Egypt, only to be slain in the Promised Land." And then they decide to reject God's appointed leader, Moses, suggesting a new leader bring them back to Egypt. Look at verse 4, "So they said to one another, 'Let us select a leader and return to Egypt.'" They've accused the Lord of delivering them to be slain, and now they are rejecting the appointed leader God had appointed to lead them into the Promised Land. Wow. How they have truly lost trust and completely turned tail.

William McDonald says that verse 3 and 4 demonstrate graphically the stupidity of unbelief. Let me say that again. William McDonald says that verses 3 and 4 demonstrate graphically the stupidity of unbelief. His words, not mine, but I wholeheartedly agree. You know, maybe this response would make sense if they did not know the power of God. Maybe this response would make sense if they had not seen God deliver on His promises time and time again for the children of Israel. But that's not the case. Listen, church, our God is trustworthy.

He delivers on His promises, and the children of Israel had seen this time and time again, yet still doubted, yet still feared, yet still turned tail. In verses 6 through 9, Joshua and Caleb attempt to sort of correct the narrative that's taking place here. Verse 6, "But Joshua, the son of Nun, and Caleb, the son of Jafuna, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes." Starting in verse 6, we see Joshua and Caleb respond to the people's complaining and grumbling, and they start their response by tearing their clothes. This was a sign of agony or anguish.

Then they reminded the people that the land is an exceedingly good land, and they recall the action and response of the people for what it is, rebellion against God. In verse 8, they state, "If the Lord delights in us, He will bring us into this land and give it to us." See, this statement of faith stands in contrast to the cowardly statement from the other spies that we previously saw at the end of chapter 13. Remember, the other spies said that they were not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we. Again, as seen in verse 9, Joshua and Caleb are trying to encourage the people not to rebel.

Look at verse 9, "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." They tell them not to fear the people of the land because their protection has left them. They said, "Do not fear them because the Lord is with us." They were trying to urge them to have trust in God's promises, trust in God's power to bring them into the land. So how did the people respond? Look at verse 10, "And all the congregation said to stone them with stones." How did they respond?

We see that the congregation responded by wanting to stone Joshua and Caleb. Stone them for trusting in God's promises. They were hated by the congregation, and the congregation literally wanted to kill them. Hear me this morning, church. As I mentioned before, before we become overly critical of the spies and the Israelites, let's do some self-reflection. How often do we find ourselves not trusting in the Lord to deliver on His promises? Instead, turning tail and trying to figure things out on our own, doubting that God is able to deliver because of how impossible our situation seems or appears to be.

See, we must decide whether we will trust or turn tail. Whether we want to live in peace with God, live in the promised rest that Pastor Chris has been preaching about the last couple of weeks. Or do we want to live in fear? Earlier I read from 2 Peter chapter 1. Let me read verse 4 again. "By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires." Let me ask you a question this morning, church. Do you trust in God's promises? So much so that you would refuse to turn tail.

You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29, 13. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust Him and He will act. Psalms 37, 4 and 5. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers Him out of them all. Psalms 34, 19. But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40, 31. Fear not for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you.

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41, 10. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you, 1 Peter 5, 6 and 7. But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12, 9. Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Matthew 11, 28. Do not be anxious about anything. Let me say that again. Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving.

Let your request be made known to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus, Philippians 4, 6 and 7. Know in all these things, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life nor angels nor rulers nor things present nor things to come nor powers nor height nor depth nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8, 37 through 39 promises, promises that He gives us for us to stand on and trust Him and I believe that it is time for His church to start standing on them and trusting Him to do what He says He will do. So this morning, ask yourself what is your view of God? What is your view of God? The Numbers chapter 13 and 14 teaches us that the Israelites had a very low view of God, a very low view of God, making it very easy for them not to trust and to turn tail. Remember the statement I opened with, your view of God this morning, my view of God this morning, our view collectively of God this morning determines everything about all things.

That's where it starts. Do you have a high view of God or a low view of God this morning? Additionally, are you filled with unhealthy fear this morning? And so ask yourself, how is my relationship with Christ? Do you have a strong personal relationship with Christ that would keep you from turning tail? Listen, Christ died for sinners. He paid the ultimate price for sinners so that His elect could be restored to Him and redeemed and brought back into proper relationship with Him so that fear and death would be defeated and no longer rule over us. Don't turn tail this morning.

See here in our country, it's easy for us to live comfortably in our cultural Christianity. But when the temperature gets turned up, when the heat is on, will you trust? Trust our turned tail. Don't turn tail this morning. Listen to me. Please don't turn tail. Trust. Trust. Trust Him to be the God that He says He is, to do the things that He says He will do. Listen to this sort of summary of this passage by Matthew Henry. It's sort of a summary of chapter 13 and 14. Listen to this summary by Matthew Henry. And I quote, "All things are possible if they are promised.

To Him that believes, but carnal sense and carnal professors are not to be trusted. He overlooks the promises and power of God and magnifies every danger and difficulty and fills the heart with discouragement. May the Lord help us to believe. We shall then find all things possible." I just want to read one more verse, verse 11, Numbers chapter 14 verse 11. So we see that the congregation responds by wanting to stone Caleb and Joshua in verse 10. Look at verse 11. "Then the Lord said to Moses, 'How long will these people reject me?

And how long will they not believe me with all the signs which I have performed among them?'" Matthew Henry hits the nail on the head right here. "All things are possible if they are promised. To Him that believes, unbelief overlooks the promises and power of God, magnifies every danger and difficulty, and fills the heart with discouragement. May the Lord help us to believe. We shall then find all things possible." So this morning, is it time for you to start trusting that God will fill in the blank, whatever that blank is for you?

Is it time for you to start trusting that God will deliver you from your anxiety, your stress, your anxiousness, your financial situation, your health, your career, whatever that looks like in your life, whatever that unseemingly, that obstacle that is unseemingly unable to be overcome? What is that one challenge that exists in your life that you just feel like, man, there's no way? Is it time for you to start trusting that God will? Let's pray. Father God in the grave.