Let’s be honest, it’s easy to be a critic. When the Israelites arrived at Kadesh Barnea, which bordered the Promise Land of Canaan, they sent 12 spies to survey the land and the people (Numbers 13:18-25). The 12 spies spent 40 days checking things out and upon their return, 10 of the 12 spies reported nothing but bad things. Numbers 13:31-33 records them saying, “We can’t attack these people; they are stronger than we are….all the people we saw were of giants….we seem like grasshoppers in our own eyes.” Talk about fake news!! Joshua and Caleb’s assessment of the land was quite different (Numbers 14:6-7). However, believing the reports from the 10 critics, the people lost heart and rebelled against God. Essentially, they flat out ignore the fact that just 40 days prior to hearing these reports from the 10 spies God delivered them from over 400 years of slavery!!! Talk about a slap in the face! So, what did they do? Of course, out of fear and disbelief they took the path of least resistance; they elected to reject God’s promise (Numbers 14:1-2). You already know God was hot! But, once again Moses interceded and turned away God’s wrath (Numbers 14:13-20). Yes, God forgave them and He decided the folks that griped, belly-ached, and complained wouldn’t see the promise land and they would wander in the wilderness an additional year for each day the 12 spies spent exploring the land He promised they would inherit. Go figure, what was only an 11 day journey expanded to 40 years all because the people chose to criticize and reject God’s promise based on sensationalized fake news! All we hear in the news today is COVID this and COVID that…but have you considered listening to what God is saying? God promised us victory over all kinds of illnesses. Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” God will never lead us where His grace can’t provide for us or His power can’t protect us! Indeed, the Israelites witness the power of God move through the plagues and miracles of the Exodus but unfortunately (like many people today) they chose to walked by sight and not by faith. Let this not be so for you; don’t allow fear and disbelief to keep you from experiencing all of God’s promises in your life’s journey! “For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory” (2 Cor 1:20).