Faith rather than investigation - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

Let us send men before us, and let them search out the land for us, and bring back word to us of the way by which we should go up, and of the cities into which we shall come.
Deuteronomy 1: 22.

Faith rather than investigation
In the book of Numbers the LORD Himself had given the order to send spies into the land of Canaan. Yet from Deuteronomy chapter 1 we discover that that order corresponded to the express wish of the Israelites. Their spiritual state had sunk to a low level; and God met them on that low level. Since they did not have the faith to boldly conquer the Promised Land with their God, twelve men were chosen to spy out the region.

When they returned to the Israelites after forty days, ten of them reported how fruitful the land was, but also what powerful enemies dwelt there. Rather than stirring up faith among the people, their account brought to light the unbelief present in their hearts. The consequence was absolutely plain:.

From this account we learn two lessons:

God guides us according to our spiritual state. If trust in His omnipotence and goodness is lacking in us, He cannot show us the pathway of simple faith.
Investigating the situation beforehand does not enhance our faith, because we are then occupied with the circumstances. If we, however, look to God, keeping to His reliable Word, we can overcome our disbelief and confidently take up the difficult task involved.

Today‘s reading: 1 Samuel 3: 1 - 21 · Ephesians 5: 1 - 7