“And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which
come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we
were in their sight.” (Numbers 13:33 KJV)
Sitting at lunch after church
yesterday, a friend commented on my sermon and asked if I had listened to what
I preached. He was goading me with my own words . . . the mark of a real
friend. J
yesterday, a friend commented on my sermon and asked if I had listened to what
I preached. He was goading me with my own words . . . the mark of a real
friend. J
As the fun and fellowship
continued, my friend spoke of what he called “grasshopper theology.” I had
heard the terminology before but I could not think of where, so I stoically spooned
food in my mouth trying to decide if he was poking fun or wanted to discuss a
serious issue.
continued, my friend spoke of what he called “grasshopper theology.” I had
heard the terminology before but I could not think of where, so I stoically spooned
food in my mouth trying to decide if he was poking fun or wanted to discuss a
serious issue.
Grasshopper theology is about our
perspective of God . . . our faith in God. How do we “see” God in relation to
the challenges we face everyday? Is God greater than all our challenges? Or is
the challenge larger than our God?
perspective of God . . . our faith in God. How do we “see” God in relation to
the challenges we face everyday? Is God greater than all our challenges? Or is
the challenge larger than our God?
For whatever reason, these ten spies
had not bought into the “conquer Canaan” vision. So, they emphasized their size
instead of God’s. They trusted in their abilities instead of God’s. They
believed what they saw rather than God’s promise: “I am giving this land to the
Israelites” (Num. 13:1). They were overwhelmed by their fear, doubt and
unbelief.
had not bought into the “conquer Canaan” vision. So, they emphasized their size
instead of God’s. They trusted in their abilities instead of God’s. They
believed what they saw rather than God’s promise: “I am giving this land to the
Israelites” (Num. 13:1). They were overwhelmed by their fear, doubt and
unbelief.
They saw themselves as
grasshoppers so God became a grasshopper too. They never considered that their
version was topsy-turvey. They saw giants in Canaan but God saw grasshoppers.
They saw themselves as grasshoppers but God saw them as giants in his hands.
grasshoppers so God became a grasshopper too. They never considered that their
version was topsy-turvey. They saw giants in Canaan but God saw grasshoppers.
They saw themselves as grasshoppers but God saw them as giants in his hands.
Our perspective really does
matter. Is our God smaller than or greater than the challenge?
matter. Is our God smaller than or greater than the challenge?
Dear Father, thank you for your
greatness. Empower us with faith that matches your ability. This I pray in the
name of Jesus. AMEN
greatness. Empower us with faith that matches your ability. This I pray in the
name of Jesus. AMEN
Be strong and courageous today in
faith,
faith,