Grasshopper Epidemic

Numbers 13: 33

There also we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.

However we perceive ourselves is how we truly are. We create our own reality. “For as he thinks within himself, so he is” (Proverb 23: 7). In this case the Israelites perceived themselves as grasshoppers so that is what they became in their eyes and the eyes of their enemies. We talk ourselves into being that which we hold to be true in our hearts. Do you think yourself smart? Then you are. Do you think yourself healed? You are. What if you think of yourself as some negative as the Israelites did? Then that becomes the truth too. How long have you called yourself overweight? Let’s change your perspective and thus your truth.

Do you believe the Israelites would have fared better if they had perceived themselves differently? Couldn’t they have just as easily confessed that they were the heirs of a promise and that the Lord their God goes before them? Wasn’t that the truth? God showed His hand all along the way from Egypt to Canaan. He performed miracles and ran enemies out before them. They could have just as easily perceived themselves as the highly valued and protected children of God. Instead, they chose to think of themselves as grasshoppers. Honestly, this sounds a lot like modern Christianity.

Of course, we have the same record of witness as they. We have read about the miracles. We have seen the promises of God but still we too choose to think of ourselves as grasshoppers instead of mighty in Christ. We can be who we choose to be. In truth, we are who we choose to be. Do want to be healthy, wealthy, wise and have abundant friends? Then choose to be a giant instead of a grasshopper. Change your self-image to that of an anointed and appointed child of the king. Get a revelation of the deep love of God for you. He wants to magnify and exalt you so stop thinking of yourself in negative terms. Let God minister truth to your bones and to your heart. You are God’s greatest miracle and highly esteemed. Let it go to your head.

The Heart of the Matter

Matthew 13: 14 – 15

And in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, “You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; and you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; for the heart of this people has become dull, and with their ears they scarcely hear, and they have closed their eyes lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart and return and I should heal them.”

 I cannot believe I never caught this before. Jesus was discussing how the Pharisees and those like them keep on hearing but never really hear and keep on looking but never see. They attend every conference, are at church every week but they never, according to Jesus, understand nor perceive. How catastrophic! They are dutiful but still ignorant. Why? Jesus explains in the next verse. He says their hearts have become dull. That is to say that regardless of how devoted we are about attending church and conferences, listening to tapes or streaming video it is all futile if we do not first engage our hearts.

Now, let’s be frank. A person who is constantly listening to CD’s, etc. is probably a true seeker and God has promised that those who seek find. However, those who haven’t set their hearts to God are going to be dull. In other words they have lost their passion and their hearts truly are not engaged. Jesus is telling us very plainly here that we cannot hear him nor perceive him if our hearts are not tender and open to him.

It seems that understanding is a heart matter rather than an intellectual issue. I didn’t know that. I have been seeking God with my intellect but look at the last bit of the passage. Jesus says that we will understand with our hearts. When we approach Jesus with tender hearts, with spirits which are open to him, then he will touch us and heal us. 

Our answers, our met needs are in Jesus and in the life that he came to earth to procure for us. If we are not living the abundant life that Jesus spoke of in John 10: 10 then we might want to check our hearts. Are our hearts bared before him? Does he have an invitation to abide there? The secrets and mysteries, the deep things of God are to be found through our hearts where we will see and hear. Glory to God for this insight!