SAINT JOHN VIANNEY, PRIEST (MEMORIAL)

They are too strong for us.

The Israelite scouts were afraid—and who could blame them? Although they had returned from spying out the Promised Land with their arms weighed down with luscious fruit, their hearts were weighed down even more. They had seen how fortified the Canaanite cities were. How could they hope to conquer a land defended by such great warriors? Clearly, God thought they could. He even asked, “How long will they not trust me, despite all the signs I have performed among them?” (Numbers 14:11).

To understand God’s impatience, we have to recall Israel’s history. From the call of Abraham to the exodus from Egypt, God had proven himself faithful. He parted the Red Sea so the Israelites could walk through on dry ground. He led them through the desert and fed them with manna and quail. He even gave them water from the rock! Finally, they could see the Promised Land with their own eyes. Right in their hands, they held the fruit of the land. God had fulfilled his promises! Yet despite all this, the scouts concluded that the Canaanite armies were too strong. The risk of defeat was too great.

We shouldn’t judge the Israelites too harshly. It’s hard to face something beyond our own abilities and move forward trusting that God will help us in concrete ways. We know that God is faithful and that he will provide for our families. But we also think, I’ll be devastated if my wife’s cancer returns. Like the discouraged Israelites, we think that circumstances—bad health, job loss, or our own “Canaanite army”—are too strong for us. And they are! But they are not too strong for God. He can sustain us despite these very real challenges. So it’s safe to cross over into the unknown, even though the enemy is so strong.

God sometimes asks us to trust him even when we cannot see how things could possibly work out. Where is God nudging you to take a risk today? Consider how faithful he has been in the past. Look at the “fruit” you’re already holding.

And take the risk.

“Lord, this is just too strong for me. But you are stronger. With you at my side, I can walk through it.”

Psalm 106:6-7, 13-14, 21-23
Matthew 15:21-28
Numbers 13:1-2, 25-14:1, 26-29, 34-35

WORD AMONG US