We read in Numbers 13 and 14 a most disturbing story. It’s about “seeing.” Moses had sent twelve spies into the Promised Land and they all saw the same thing with their physical eyes. But with their spiritual eyes, they saw something completely different. Ten of the men saw land that “eats its inhabitants.” Those that weren’t eaten, were of great stature and those that weren’t of great stature were even bigger! They were giants! The ten men saw themselves as grasshoppers by comparison. Can you hear the exaggeration? Land that eats its inhabitants? Grasshoppers by comparison?

The children of Israel listened to the bad report and immediately they wanted to go back into slavery where Pharaoh hated them as did all Egyptians and where they were treated with great cruelty and they began to pick a new leader who would take them back and negotiate something with Egypt! Can you imagine?

But what did Joshua and Caleb see? When they looked at the giants, they saw bread! Provision! They say fields that were already planted, houses that were already built, barns that were already full. They were excited and knew that if God delighted in them, He would bring them into a land that flows with milk and honey. The only condition was to not rebel against the Lord. Apparently that was too much and they rebelled. What form was that rebellion? It was simply unbelief. God let them die in the wilderness, never entering into the promise He had for them.

So my question to you today is, what do you see? Are you seeing God’s perspective or the enemies’ vision? Are you going to believe God or your lying eyes? Yes, sometimes your eyes will deceive you. Here’s a clue… whenever you are faced with an adversity, wait on God until He shows you the opportunity. Then believe God and secure your opportunity. Have a blessed day my friends.

 I don’t want to leave the topic of adversity without sharing with you a very positive perspective. I have learned that adversity and opportunity are always - not most of the time - but always, joined at the hip! No matter what the circumstance, there is always something of high value that can be gained from it. The greater the adversity, the greater the opportunity.

When you find yourself in the grip of adversity, count it all joy knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing. (James 1:4) The end result of adversity can be sweet fruit indeed.

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 I left off last time saying I would address the fact that if adversity is a test to reveal our strengths and weaknesses, then how can we prepare for the test so we can pass it and not be numbered among the ones Scripture declares as being small in strength (Prov 24:10)?

Well, to answer that question, let me ask you something… What do you do when a storm of adversity comes? Do you pray? Fast? Search the Scriptures? Get Godly counsel? Get in fellowship with other believers? All these are good things, but when the storm hits, it’s not the time to start putting a roof on your house so to speak.

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Adversity: Nobody wants it - Everyone gets it. Proverbs says “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.” (Prov 24:10) So what does that tell us about adversity? It’s a test. It’s not optional. You will be tested. The only question is how will you fare? How are you preparing now for the test?

To begin with, it helps a great deal to know that the test is coming. Accept the fact that you will be tested in the form of adversity. I don’t care what “religious camp” you are in, you will be tested. You can blame the devil, be mad at yourself or receive it from God. That’s another conversation. But rest assured, it will come and by accepting that fact, you are already positioning yourself to come through it.

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 “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.” (Prov 24:10) When we were in school, we had to take tests to pass to the next level. Those tests typically threw a lot of tough questions at us that we wouldn’t normally have to deal with in a similar period of time elsewhere. And yet, we were measured by them. More importantly, we were able to get a measure of ourselves, discover our weak points and realize our strengths.

So it is with adversity. It comes to test, to try us, to measure our strength. So how do you respond to adversity? Do you moan and complain or do you embrace the adversity knowing it is a tool to reveal both weakness and strength? Not that adversity is pleasant, but the fruit of it can be sweet indeed.

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