I heard this story in a small group while we were going through the miscarriage in September and it's stuck with me since.
Basically, the Lord promised Canaan, (the promised land) to the Israelites. All they had to do was go and take it (easy right?!). In going to get a good look at the land, they got scared because the people living there were giants and could surely kill them. Forget the fact that the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE promised it to them.. The people sent to stake it out came back with the report that it was impossible. All but Caleb and Joshua. They were obedient and trusted when the Lord said it was their land to have. (Actual scripture is below)
This story really hit me. I knew the Lord has promised the desire of my heart (to be a mom).. but it wasn't turning out to look like what I thought it would. All he was asking was that I was obedient in trusting in Him and his promises. God is glorified in what we view as impossible.
There is no official meaning for the name "Canaan" but from this story, the meaning seems to be "promise". I'm glad we finally get our Canaan.
Numbers 13
1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 “Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders.”
26 They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadesh in the Desert of Paran. There they reported to them and to the whole assembly and showed them the fruit of the land. 27 They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. 28 But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large.
Numbers 14
5 Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. 6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”
17 “Now may the Lord’s strength be displayed, just as you have declared: 18 ‘The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion.
