But the men who had gone up with him said, "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are.' And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, "The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them." Numbers 13:31-33 NIV.
I enjoy comedies. A classic was Overboard, which starred Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn. A poor carpenter did not get paid for work by a rich woman. She later got amnesia. He convinced her she was his wife to work off that debt. It showed the comparison of the rich and poor in a funny light.
One of my most significant issues is that I compare myself to others. I see more successful leaders. Then happier people in their gifts. I can fall overboard with those comparisons.
Moses sent ten spies to scout the promised land. They should have remembered it got pledged to them. Like I forget the beauty of life in Jesus. Eight of those spies compared themselves to the circumstances. They saw warrior people: giants and other obstacles.
The spies compared the trouble to themselves. When we should reach our stressors to the Lord. Caleb and Joshua were the two spies that had unique spirits.
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. 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. Numbers 14:8-9 NIV.
We can compare ourselves to the rich, poor, weak or firm. After escaping the overboard comparisons, Dean and Joanna find happiness in the movie. We can live in the freedom of the Lord's purposes for us. Then compare every burden to Him.
Help us find satisfaction in You, Lord. Then, when trials come, let us compare them to You. Our Lord is more significant than any situation that arises. In Jesus' name, amen.
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