Side Effects of Standing Up For God's Promises

[S] Numbers 14:8-10,19 --
 ⁸"If the LORD is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us--a land which flows with milk and honey. ⁹"Only do not rebel against the LORD; and do not fear the people of the land, for they will be our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them." ¹⁰But all the congregation said to stone them with stones Then the glory of the LORD appeared in the tent of meeting to all the sons of Israel.
 ¹⁹"Pardon, I pray, the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of Your lovingkindness, just as You also have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now."

[O] Joshua and Caleb were the only two out of twelve spies who were standing up for God's promises and tried to convince the people to embrace His ways and not fear the people of Canaan.  But the people wanted to stone these two valiant warriors.  This scene is so much like what Jesus did for us where He came to us to tell us the promise of God to lead us into Heaven despite all the difficulties we face in this world.  His intentions were to save us, but the people responded by crucifying Him on the cross.  In light of this, Moses in verse 19 intercedes for the people because God's anger is about to wipe out these grumblers and what I noticed in both situations is that Joshua, Caleb, and Moses all focused on God's greatness rather than people's wretchedness.  They all were so sure of God's promises based on what He had already shown them from the exodus from Egypt.

[A] My life is going to face a whole bunch of difficult situations especially when my service for His ministry will be misunderstood by others and let alone God's wrath, my own disappointment desires to show them who is right.  However, I need to focus and re-focus my mind on God's greatness and not people's imperfectness and continue to put my hope in Him and not get discouraged.

[P] Dear Father, it's so wonderfully assuring to know that You always keep Your promises because by Your promise, I can stand through the ordeals I need to face in this world.  There are so many things to worry about in this world it's not even funny.  And I can get so wrapped up in all those things losing sight of Your promises for me.  I want to be filled with Your Spirit so that I will never lose focus of Your promises especially during the times of walking through some dark moments in life.  I ask that You will never let me go.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.