Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Numbers 14:37, “Those very men who brought the evil report about the land, died by the plague before the Lord.”

Background

I think I might suffer from a form of spiritual pessimism. I say this because I am familiar with other forms of pessimism, particularly in regards to the sports teams that I pull for. Where those teams are concerned, I am prone to immediate, eventual, and long range pessimism. Immediate pessimism, just like it sounds, expects the situation at hand to go south at any moment. The third down conversion will fail, the late-game lead will disappear, the world-class recruit considering a scholarship will sign with our rival. And even if failure is averted, it is certain to come at the very next opportunity. Eventual pessimism looks at a slightly bigger picture, recognizing that while things may be going well, eventually rights will be made wrong and good fortune will takes its blessings elsewhere. It despises good first halves, knowing what will happen after halftime. It can’t enjoy early season success, waiting for the wheels to come off once the success goes to the players’ heads. Long range pessimism is the foundation upon which all of this misery rests. It looks back over years of mediocrity and projects that into the foreseeable future, and beyond. Other schools rise above their pasts and create their own new destinies and surprise the pundits, but not my team. Their glass doesn’t go above half full.

Application

Spiritually, I can be like the ten spies who came back from Canaan with a dire report of the promised land. I can totally disregard the promises of God and see only the certain defeat that will come immediately, eventually, or ultimately. I acknowledge the workings of God, but I’m less than convinced that God will see them through and bring to fruition a stellar and glorious conclusion. I merely expect this temporary blip to fade away and things to go back to how they were. That thought process is straight from hell. Peter tried it on Jesus, and the Lord told him to get away. The spies returned doubting, and a plague took their lives. It seems that God has little time for naysayers, a fact many like me should immediately receive.

Charge

As we seek Him today, confess to God where you are doubting His authority and will. Ask him to replace your spiritual pessimism with a holy optimism.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words