Going into 2016

“The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” Numbers 14: 7-9

Jews post-Egypt were afraid, disgruntled, myopic, unfaithful, unambitious, and disobedient to say the least. And, when they were promised Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey, by God through Moses, the ragtag Israelites couldn't believe their ears. It sounded too good to be true. A fertile land? Promised by God? God who brought the Pharaoh and the Egyptians to their knees? God who split the Red River dry for them to cross? God who gave them cloud pillars by day and fire pillars by night? God who gave them manna? What did we do to deserve this?

And then, they saw Canaan - and the Canaanite giants who occupied the land. Obviously, they loved Canaan - they just hated Canaanites. They said among others: we can't attack them, they are stronger; they are of great size; they are Nephilim; we seem like grasshoppers. They continued that they should have died in Egypt, and some people tried to persuade others to return back to Egypt!

Only Joshua and Caleb spoke with faith - "we will devour them."

This is David and Goliath prequel. Grasshopper Israelites standing against the giant Canaanites. But, the fight never happened, because the public opinion among the Israelites weighed heavily toward dying in the wilderness rather than fighting (Numbers 14: 3). So, God granted their "prayer" and led them in the desert wilderness for forty years. Only Joshua and Caleb survived along with the next generation of young Israelites.

"We will devour them." How I envy their faith and fearlessness.

Forty years later, Caleb stood on the Canaanite hill and received Hebron with Joshua's blessing. At the age of eight-five Caleb declared, "I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day." Joshua 14: 11-12.

I personally lived as a grasshopper for most of my life. But, I wish to change that.

I turn thirty this year. I can't afford to wander in the wilderness.

I must make this mantra and my life.

"I will devour them."

"Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day."

"Do not be afraid."

I know running a law office can be daunting. There are many around me who bring me down with negative comments everyday. What are you thinking? How are you going to do it? You should find a job. Why are you opening an office? There's already too many lawyers. What makes you different?

Honestly, I don't know. Nobody knows. But, I know I can't continue living as a grasshopper anymore.

I must live like Caleb, Joshua, and David. I will face the giant, and I will devour the giant.

Nothing is impossible.

 

So, give me this land 2016. I will devour them.