They Shall Be Food For Us
In reference to the title of this post, I've always been a bit puzzled about this pronouncement in Numbers 14 by Joshua and Caleb. Over the last few years, its meaning has become clearer.
With her permission, I am using a most recent example of a life that I've had the honor of observing up close. I can see better what is meant by this "food", and it is meant for you and me too.
My friend Cathy has recently experienced the passing of her husband. They suffered through his illness of ALS for 7 years before his going home to heaven. Most don't live that many years following a diagnosis like ALS. I've walked closely with Cathy for years, and in her transparency with me have learned of many heart wrenching trials from her past. We all have these. I am singling Cathy out because through our conversations of late, this idea of the giants in our lives being food for us has become more clear. Simply put, Cathy battled and endured these 7 years BECAUSE of the sustenance she had received through previous life challenges. We become the warriors for God that we are and are empowered to overcome the giants in our lives because past giants have been made our "food."
I have to wonder about Caleb and Joshua and their previous life battles, some written about that we can discover and others buried deep in their hearts that we know not of. I have those and so do you. The world witnesses some of our battles like the circle of friends around Cathy as she endured this grueling time of life. And many battles are private and internal, perhaps known only to God.
As I write this today, I find myself encouraged. I can see glimpses of overcoming and of an undergirding of strength BECAUSE of past battles with giants. I pause and ponder even the current struggles of my heart. And I will choose to take a fresh view of them and trust that these too will be food, spiritual food, sustenance for the future. "Only do not fear the people of the land, (the giants we face) for they shall be food for us..... the LORD is with us; do not fear them." (from Numbers 14:9) Do. Not. Fear.
Thank you, Cathy, for inviting me to be near and to watch a life made ever stronger because the LORD has been and always is with you.
