It's the classic good news, bad news scenario. The spies have spent 40 days surveying the promised land. They've seen what this place of promise is, what it offers and who lives there. Interestingly, their report doesn't seem to include anything we wouldn't have already known. The good news is "look at this fruit!" The bad news is "the people!"
I'm not quite sure who initiated their exploratory mission. Numbers 13 says "the Lord spoke to Moses" and told him to send spies (13:1). As its recorded in Deuteronomy, Moses said the people came up with the idea (Deuteronomy 1). He merely agreed. It could be Moses heard it, thought about it, prayed and got his okay from God.
Whatever the case, the spies have returned with their findings.
Again, we already knew the kind of people who were there. And God had already said it was a land flowing with milk and honey. Of course, the bigger story will be that most of the spies will convince the people to not set out for this place. Initially, though, they start with what is impossible to ignore: the fruit of the land.
For today, I'm reflecting on that fruit hanging on the pole. God said it was there. God promised to lead the people to it. We can criticize the spies' report and how the people responded. We can also appreciate their need to see what God was talking about.
Yes, we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). But God gives us a lot to see, too. Additionally, the promises of God are best lived and experienced than they are merely talked about and admired.
I want to understand forgiveness, for example, but what good is forgiveness talked about and never shared? Never felt? I recall attending a prayer class once. We talked and talked about prayer. We even had handouts. We did so much talking that we never got around to praying. It was informational, for sure. But no one tasted and saw God's goodness (Psalm 34:8).
Beloved, don't settle for just talking about God's goodness. Seek to experience the reality of God's presence and God's promise.
Stay blessed...john | 
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