Would You Like to be Famous?

	Do any of these names sound familiar? Shammua (no, that’s not a killer whale at Sea World), Shaphat, Igal, Palti, Gaddiel, Gaddi, Ammiel, Sethur, Nahbi, Geuel. Do you recognize any of them? I didn’t think you would. Now try these two: Joshua, Caleb.
	Nearly everyone recognizes these two spies who gave a favorable report, but few remember the ten faithless spies whose names I read first. Joshua & Caleb are remembered for their faith in God, that he could and would deliver the promised land of Canaan to Israel.
	The other ten had a “grasshopper complex” (Num. 13:33). They even had to change their story in order to convince the people. At first they had acknowledged that Canaan was a good land, flowing with milk and honey. But later they claimed that it was “a land that devours its inhabitants.”
	It’s easy to criticize the ten spies for their lack of faith, but let us take heed lest we fall into the same snare. We are inclined to have a grasshopper complex. We see our own weakness, and the formidable task of reaching our world with the gospel. And we decide that we just can’t do it, failing to remember that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil. 4:13).
	Would you rather be remembered as a Shammua, or a Joshua? When people think of you, will they think of Shaphat or Caleb? The way you put your faith into action, will be the deciding factor.
	--Joe Slater (Justin, TX)