They could have had it all…
But they lacked faith…
They lacked courage…
It was because of the grasshopper effect…
Have you ever heard of the grasshopper effect? I made it up a while ago, but it’s based upon a Bible verse in the Old Testament.
I’m referring to the Israelites in Numbers 13. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was with them. They had been given great promises. Nothing would be able to stand in their way.
They sent spies into the land…
Mission accomplished…
Yes, it was everything they imagined and more…
They came back and gave the report to the people. And that’s when everything began to crumple to pieces.
These spies returned to giants like Moses. Men like Caleb and Joshua were fired up. They were pillars of faith. They knew the land belonged to them.
But the other 10 spies caved. They experienced the grasshopper effect.
“And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.” – Numbers 13:33
They had compared themselves to the those in the land. In their eyes they appeared small, inadequate, and not prepared for the task. They forgot how BIG their God was…and focused too much on themselves.
The grasshopper effect had set in their minds.
FEAR…
UNCERTAINTY…
DOUBT…
As one brother said, “The F.U.D. Factor” defeated them, which is one of the devils greatest tools.
When the grasshopper effect creeps into the mind, it can and will spread quickly. 10 men had been infected with it.
Soon, an entire nation would get it. Then, it was too late…
The grasshopper effect produced the very thing that the people were afraid of.
It produced DEATH!
The men were fearful that they would be defeated if they went into the land. But little did they know that they defeated themselves with their lack of faith.
WOW…
The grasshopper effect is so deceiving.
It can hold men and women back, even an entire nation back from receiving great blessings from God.
But it didn’t disrupt Joshua and Caleb! Their faith was strong. They were connected to the power…God!
That’s the only way you protect yourself from the grasshopper effect.
Have you been infected with the grasshopper mentality?
Are you so afraid to do something, that you will remain stagnant, and eventually just die?
Don’t miss your opportunity. The Israelites missed their chance in Numbers 13 and 14. When they realized it, it was too late.
FEAR…
UNCERTAINTY…
DOUBT…
It’s so debilitating…
It’s so deceiving…
It’s so deadly…
The grasshopper effect…
Learn and trust in the Living God. The one who spoke everything into existence. The one who has all power.
TRUST.IN.HIM.