I love THE WORD OF GOD, don't You? It is great literature but more than literature, there are intriguing dramatic plots in its many stories, though being more than a story book or novel, its pages are replete with wisdom, and inspires and informs the greatest of minds. I like the way Paul, The Apostle describes it in (2 Tim. 3: 16, 17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and instruction in righteousness; That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. However, this is only the preamble of my message.

For our text we turn to Numbers 13 26-33. Our memory verse 2 Tim. 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love and of a sound mind

The children of Israel were at a unique and strategic stage of their journey to accomplishing their destiny, the inheritance of the promise land. This was a destiny mapped out by God Himself, dictating to Moses every step which must be taken to accomplish victory. From the onset we must understand this: God is Omnipotent, there is absolutely nothing that is too difficult for our God. He is sovereign, and there is absolutely nothing that man can do or not do to ultimately frustrate God's plan. God is a God of Plan Purpose and Objectivity and wants to do great things on this earth, but He has chosen to do it through us, that ultimately He having given us the victory or accomplishment, we will give Him all the praise and Glory. We have this situation where twelve spies were sent out on this strategic mission; one spy from every tribe. God had not sent them not to inform Him, but on the contrary; that mission was to inform them, of the reality of the situation they were soon to encounter.

At Kadesh-Barnea the children of Israel were within striking distance of their foes, they were to conquer, and posses their inheritance, and enter the promise land, Canaan. One would think after all the miracles and victories God had given them, that their faith would have been strong and their resolve to trust God would have been emboldened. Instead we read in verses 13: 32, 33 and 14: 1, 2, "would God that we had died in the land Egypt! Or would God we had died in this wilderness! God's response is in verse 14: 11 "How long will this people provoke me? And how .long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them. "

Thank God for the Joshua's and the Caleb's as we read in verses 14:6-9 they chose to see things through the eyes of faith and be energized in purpose for the job at hand. How you see things will always determine the action you will take. We have to see things through the eyes of faith. Heb.l1:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Verse 6 states, "But without faith it is impossible to please God: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. "

We now fast forward forty years, Caleb was now eighty years of age. You see with God age is no factor if you choose to do a work for Him. The prophet Isaiah states in Isa. 40: 28-31 "Hast thou not known? Hath thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is He weary? There is no searching of His understanding. (29) He giveth power to the faint; and to them that hath no might he increaseth strength, (30) Even the youths shall faint and be weary' and the young men shall utterly fall: (31) But they that wait upon 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"

God being true to His Holy Word, Caleb testified Jos. 14: 7-15 (11) "As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war both to go out, and to come in. (12) Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day " This speaks of a life with a purpose, a life with an objective, a life with a mission, a life as an offering to God, presenting our very being as a living sacrifice, wholly and acceptable unto Him which is but our reasonable service Rom 12: 1.

How many here are eighty and younger, we have to work with who and what we have. There is a great challenge ahead of us. Will you cower and withdraw? Will you say I'm too old, let some one else do it? Will you speak words of fear or words of faith? Will you take up the challenge to be a witness for the people of Bowen Island? God helping us we are well able conquer the foe, the giants of the land and be victorious in the Name of Jesus.

Can I count on you? More importantly, can God count on you? I hope your response is a resounding affirmative YES HE CAN, God can count on you.
Amen