ROOTED - Monday, February 9, 2026
Numbers 13:27, 28, 30
27 And they told him, “We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. 28 However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. And besides, we saw the descendants of Anak there.
30 But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.”
Reflection: Lack of Faith is Contagious… and Dangerous
Written By: Pastor Jesse Caro
Note: Some of the devotionals this week may be out of order or from another day’s readings. Today’s scripture is from yesterday, Sunday the 8th.
One of the great stories in the Book of Numbers is the 12 Spies story. In Sunday school we had to sing the little ditty:
“Twelve men went to spy in Canaan… 10 were bad and 2 were good
What do you think they saw in Canaan… 10 were bad and 2 were good
Some so giants big and tall. Some saw grapes with clusters long.
Some saw God was in it all… 10 were bad and 2 were good”
How many of you remember that ditty!? Well, here is the story. Twelve spies are sent in to spy out the land and bring back a report to Moses. The people patiently awaited their report. Would the land be good? Would there be food? What would the people of the land be like? Finally, the men returned, and in the presence of the people of God they report their findings. “The land is good, flowing with milk and honey. Grape clusters so large two men have to carry them!” What a great report!
But then, the hammer falls as the majority of the spies (10 of them) add to the report. “Brace yourself for the bad news: the people there are giants and we will die if we try to invade the land! The land will devour us!” So, the people panic. Two men, Caleb and Joshua, try to calm the people down, saying, “God is with us… he will deliver the Land to us that He has promised.” But the damage was done… the seed of doubt had taken root. And the people began to rebel against Moses and Aaron. Ten, in fact, were bad and two were good.
God would deal with this lack of faith harshly, killing the ten men with a plague (14:37), the seeds of doubt having been planted. This, of course, is a warning to us. We should be very, very careful not to sow a lack of faith in others. If God is calling us to do something, we should trust God to do it… even if it looks impossible. You may think it is impossible, but you might be wise to keep that opinion to yourself. God’s hand is not short to accomplish his promises. Occasionally leaders are needed to stand on faith and speak into God’s people the confidence that God can do a miraculous work. Be careful not to be among the faithless majority who lead people to not trust God. Ten were bad and two were good!
Prayer
Lord, help us not to doubt you… and spread that doubt to others. May we instead be full of faith and trust in your promises and your strong hand.