Take the Risk of Daring Faith - Devotional by Helen Lescheid

“Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced.” Psalm 105:4-5

Whenever we face a challenge which is way beyond us we have a choice either to focus on the problem or to focus on the Lord Jesus who has promised to be with us and give us the victory. Our focus will have huge results.

I’m thinking of the story of Caleb. He was one of the twelve scouts sent to spy out the Promised Land for Moses. When they returned, ten of the scouts brought back a negative report. “The people living there are powerful and their cities and towns are fortified and very large,” they said. “Giants live there and we look like grasshoppers to them. If we attempt to enter the land, we’ll most certainly perish.”(Numbers 13:13)

But Caleb brought a different report. “Don’t be afraid of the people of the land,” he shouted. They are only helpless prey to us. They have no protection, but the LORD is with us. Don’t be afraid of them…Let us go up at once to occupy the land, for we are well able to overcome it” (Numbers 14:9; Numbers 13:30 NLT) But the people could not be persuaded. Refusing to take the risk of daring faith, they died in the wilderness.

Notice, where Caleb got his confidence: “the LORD is with us.” His boldness rested on his understanding of God, not on his own abilities. Never once did he lose sight of this even during forty years of aimless wandering in the wilderness. When he finally did enter the Promised Land, he requested of Joshua, not the easy valleys, but the rough terrain where the giants lived. His firm belief was: “the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said” (Joshua 14:12).

When others saw obstacles, Caleb saw opportunities. When the majority caved in to discouragement, Caleb’s faith gave him courage to move ahead.

We all have our struggles of discouragement, loneliness and fear. What will we focus on? On the difficulties or on the LORD with us. Because of God’s faithful and good character it’s safe to take the risk of daring faith.

Dear God, I want to trust you and move ahead in your strength.

By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission