It was a test of patience for my friend.

“Your son still on campus today?” she texted. “Yes,” I responded quickly. She called a second later.

Her son’s car was illegally parked and about to experience a visit from a tow truck. Since he didn’t answer his phone, she asked me to call my son and have him walk to his dorm room, bang on the door and wake him up.

Guess what? My son didn’t answer either. It was mid-morning.

The funny thing is, I had the same scenario happen two months prior, except campus security called me in the middle of the night. Those college students knew the rules but ignored them.

The Israelites faced a different kind of test. A much more consequential test.

After fleeing Egypt, they made it to the edge of the land God had promised. They were so close, yet so far away. The test was to:

• follow God’s direction
• conquer the land and
• live in the paradise God had set aside for them, the land He had prepared for them. 

Somewhere along the journey, they lost their way.

After spies returned from scouting the land, Joshua and Caleb encouraged the assembly to go and take possession. But the other spies told a different story. 

Their fear had already defeated them. Their fearful outlook led the rest of the community into alarm and distress.

That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” Numbers 14:1-3 (NIV)

Their mistake?

The Israelites listened to the wrong voices, ignoring God’s direction. They decided it was too risky to cross the Jordan into the land.  And they failed the test. Scripture says the Lord forgave them, but they paid dearly for it. You can read the entire account in Numbers 13-14. 

What is your test today?

• What step is God asking you to take?
• What giant keeps you from crossing over to the other side?
• What obstacle holds you captive?
• What hurt still grips your heart?

Listen to the One who calls you to follow His direction. With Jesus by your side, you CAN cross over and conquer the giants. You CAN take that step of faith. You CAN overcome that obstacle.