We Are Not Grasshoppers

Sermon Notes

Standing on the edge of God’s promise is exciting. It’s also terrifying. As Vision Sunday approaches, we’re reminded that God’s vision always calls for faith before it calls for a plan. In Numbers 13, Israel stands at the edge of the Promised Land—but fear causes many to shrink back. In this message, we explore how fear shapes our vision, how faith reframes reality, and why God’s vision always calls for a decision before it calls for a plan. The difference between moving forward and shrinking back isn’t the size of the obstacle—it’s whether we include God in the equation. This week challenges us to see our future through the lens of God’s promises, not our limitations. Look and be encouraged: we are not grasshoppers.

Key Takeaways

Vision demands faith before it demands a plan
Fear grows when God is left out of the equation
Faith doesn’t deny obstacles—it sees God bigger than them
God’s promises, faithfulness, and provision still hold
We are not grasshoppers when God goes before us
Discussion Questions

Where do you see fear shaping your perspective right now?
What “giants” feel bigger than God in your life?
How does remembering God’s past faithfulness change how you face uncertainty?
What step of faith might God be inviting you to take next?

Transcript

Standing at the Edge of God’s Promise

If you’ve ever stood at the edge of something God promised—something good, something clear—but felt a knot in your stomach, you’re not alone. That’s exactly where we find Israel in Numbers 13. The vision is clear. The promise is settled. The only question left is whether they’ll move forward in faith or shrink back in fear.

Vision Sunday is coming, and before God reveals what’s next, He asks something more foundational: Will you trust Me? Because every God-given vision demands a decision before it demands a plan.

Same Land, Same God, Different Hearts

God tells Moses to send twelve leaders into the land. They aren’t there to decide if the land is worth taking. God already settled that. They’re there to see what God is giving them.

After forty days, they return with undeniable proof. The land is rich. The fruit is abundant. God kept His word. But then comes the turning point. One small word changes everything: but.

Ten spies focus on the people, the cities, the giants. Only two of them—Joshua and Caleb—focus on God. Same facts. Same evidence. Completely different conclusions.

The Eye of Fear vs. the Eye of Faith

Fear narrows our vision. It zooms in on obstacles and forgets promises. Faith doesn’t ignore reality, but it filters reality through who God is. Joshua and Caleb see the same giants and say, “Let’s go. God is with us.”

The problem was never the size of the enemy. It was leaving God out of the equation.

Why Fear Distorts What We See

When fear takes over, we minimize God and magnify the problem. That’s when Israel calls themselves grasshoppers. But faith works differently. Faith sees God bigger than the threat. It doesn’t make the giants disappear, it just reminds us who goes before us.

Fighting Fear with What God Has Already Shown Us

God had already proven Himself. He delivered them from Egypt. He provided in the wilderness. He showed them fruit from the land. Yet fear made them forget.

The same is true for us. When we face uncertainty, we fight fear by remembering God’s promises, His faithfulness, and His provision. We look back. We look around. And we trust that the God who brought us this far will not abandon us now.