Just the Facts

“Just the Facts, Ma’am, just the facts!”  Sergeant Joe Friday was his name and all that mattered to him were just the facts. He was not interested in hear say, just the facts. Sometime the facts aren’t what we like to hear but facts are facts and we can’t change them even if we want to. As I was thinking about the facts I got to thinking about those 12 spies that went to view the promise land and the report they came back with. These 12 spies were to go into the land and they were to see if the people of the land were strong or weak, few or many. They were also to view the land and see if it was good or bad. They were to check out the cities where these people lived and see if they lived in tents or in strong holds. They were to see what the land was; whether it be fat or lean, is there wood there or not. They were to be of good courage and bring back fruit from the land they spied.  After 40 days these 12 spies returned with one cluster of grapes that it took two men to carry, they also brought pomegranates and figs. Here is their report after 40 days; just give us the facts men!

Numbers 13:27  And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it.

Numbers 13:28  Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.

 Numbers 13:31  But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.

Numbers 13:32  And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.

Numbers 13:33  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.

The fact is, it’s for sure a land that flows with milk and honey; great fact. But then comes what they really saw, the people are strong, the cities are walled and very great, we saw men of great stature, we saw giants and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers .  Where was God? Not one word of what and how God was going to deliver them, all they saw were the facts! No one saw beyond the facts; Oh, I’m sorry there were two men who saw God and not giants. They looked beyond the fact and by faith they knew the land could be theirs.

Numbers 14:6  And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:

Numbers 14:9  Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.

These two men saw beyond the facts and instead of seeing themselves as grasshoppers they saw their enemy as bread. So, just what was it you were seeing? The facts, that looks like giants or beyond the facts and in Faith looking unto God who will give you the victory. What are you seeing? Giants or God? Mountains or Mole hills? Lemons or lemonade? Glass half empty or half full? The you that can’t or the God that can????