What About the Good Report?

April 12, 2010

You know the word which the Lord spoke to Moses the man of God concerning you and me in Kadesh-barnea. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought word back to him as it was in my heart. Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt with fear; but I followed the Lord my God fully. Joshua 14:6b-8

When the twelve Israelites came back from spying out the Promised Land, only Joshua and Caleb chose the good report. All those guys saw the same land and the same people, but they had different conclusions which produced different results.

The bad-report guys died within a week. But Joshua and Caleb not only made it to the Promised Land, they finished as strong as when they started out (Joshua 14:11).

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8 KJV

The essence of good-report people is that they speak from deep-seated conviction and refuse to let the majority sway them. Choosing the good report is not automatic—it takes discipline and a heart filled up with God’s Word. Protracted battles can give us a loss-centered attitude, and it takes some time to get back to the place where we let the God of peace govern our hearts and minds.

When God was about ready to bust those Israelites loose into the Promised Land, the bad report stopped what God was trying to do. Don’t let grumbling keep you from God’s promises. Like Joshua and Caleb, we are called to lift up our eyes and obtain every promise of God, to see this generation come to a vibrant understanding of who Jesus is and what He provided for us when He conquered death.

Finish strong!
Pastor Jeff

Copyright © 2010 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.