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Numbers 13
7~/29/01
*Shedding the Grasshopper Complex*
* *
*Intro.*
One of my favorite Bible stories, that I find myself coming back to over and over again is found in Numbers 13.
This historical narrative is loaded with insight as to how to walk by faith.
Every group of people who have sought to live by faith have come to certain pivotal points where decisions are made, where dreams are begun that shape what happens for a length of time to come.
Today I want us to observe from the Scriptures a group of men at one of these pivotal times; at a time of beginning in their lives.
(Turn to Numbers 13)
I Corinthians 10:11 tells us that what happened to these, happened as an example to us.
These men had 40 days in which to assess their situation.
A group of “40 something’s” (judging from the ages of Joshua and Caleb) - not the same tribal leaders as those listed in Numbers 1,2,7,10 - they were apparently older.
God had told them to take the land.
The people wanted to send in spies, so God agreed to have Moses send in spies.
You don’t know the names of 10 of these men ( Shammua, Shaphat, Igal, Palti, Gaddiel, Gaddi, Ammiel, Sethur, Nahbi & Geuel) Ten of them responded in unfaith—unbelief—(albeit, logical and rational) tragic lessons of defeat.
Of the twelve, 2 of them responded in faith – glorious lessons of victory.
(Not take time to read the entire story – it’s familiar.)
Israel out of Egypt (plagues, parting the sea, led by pillar of fire, cloud, manna . .
.)
God is very much writing His presence large.
Season of letting His presence be known.
They come to this test on the edge of the promised land.
God has told them to take the land( “the land that I will give you”).
Twelve spies are sent out.
Reports come back divided.
(Read vv.
27-33) - report begins:
3 Principles for following God in a God-sized task:
The *First Principle* we must practice if we are going to follow God in God-sized tasks:
1.
*Consciously include God in every aspect of life.*
All of life is rehearsal for those “crisis” moments beyond what we think is “logical”.
(Chinese character for crisis “dangerous opportunity”)
If we fail to include God in every aspect of life (work, home, leisure, etc.) one thing will inevitably develop.
It is described in v. 33.
You will somewhere along the way develop a *“Grasshopper Complex.”*
We will see:
Our tents – their fortified cities.
We’re small – they’re giants (Nephilim).
We will conclude: we’re like grasshoppers and grasshoppers don’t win wars.
In our lives:
I’m so weak – temptation so strong.
I am so insignificant - the needs are so overwhelming.
I’m so small – battles are so large.
I’m like a grasshopper; grasshoppers don’t win wars.
Notice: (v.
33) like grasshoppers in their own sight; then they assumed the Anakites saw them that way.
Self-image is powerful or debilitating.
(Not more highly, not low and insignificant either)
That wasn’t true! (Joshua 2:9-11) they feared the Israelites because of the Red Sea, miracles, etc.
But, the ugly truth is that when you have a grasshopper complex, nothing – *not even God on your side* – makes the slightest difference.
We think we can’t!
That belief becomes the guiding fiction.
The fundamental error (causes G.C.) is “facing human problems with human resources.”
*Ill:* Hoshea (help) to Joshua (whose help is Jehovah) (Num.
13: 16):
-- sin of the centuries.
-- reason 85% of churches are not prevailing churches.
* *
As you look to the future, what sentences go through your mind?
Do you face the future with thoughts characterized by human abilities, human responses, human resources:
--“What you can accomplish?
-- What you can do?
If so, “Grasshopper Complex.”
Or do you face the future with an optimism that is far beyond yourself, that is based on God’s abilities and resources?
“By God’s grace . . .
I will master this area, reach these people, this can be accomplished.
By God’s grace, victory will come . .
.”
What develops is a walk with God, reinforced with life’s experiences and challenges.
Past… future…
Only those who learn to expose each new situation to the living God are delivered from the curse of the Grasshopper Complex.
The outcome will not be good if you choose to not include God in every aspect of your life.
You will follow the progression Israel took.
Step #1: Negative Thinking (13:31b) – More reason why not than why.
Step #2: They exaggerated the situation (13:33b) – grasshoppers!
Unbelief always distorts the facts because you are moving away from revealed truth.
Not wanting to follow God’s leading magnifies the difficulties, minimizes God’s ability.
Step #3: Desired to return to Egypt (14:2,3).
State of limbo between faith in God and desires for the world.
We can’t go ahead, let’s go back... Let’s take the known over the unknown.
(Comfort in Egypt vs. the uncomfortable unknown)
*James 1:8 – “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”*
Step #4: They became ignorant of and unresponsive to God’s will (14:44, 45).
Stupid thing to do:
-- Ten leaders (spies) killed by plague.
-- God instructed them not to go up (read 14:44, 45).
They were beaten as easily as grasshoppers.
Progression:
1. Negative thinking.
2. Little capacity for God.
3. Large capacity for worldly pleasure.
4. Spiritually unresponsive, disobedient, defeated lives.
Remedy:
Consciously include God in every aspect of your life.
The *Second Principle* if we are to follow God in a God-sized task:
*II.
Don’t become content with too little; ask God to expand your influence.*
God is a compassionate God who set us here to reach this world with the gospel.
He has more for you than you know.
Our reach should always exceed our grasp.
In order to do so, you will have to take some personal risks:
reaching out - Rejection
relocating - learn new ways of doing things.
More leadership to surface.
More financial faithfulness than we have ever practiced.
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