Deuteronomy 6:3 (NIV) “Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you.”
When you read today’s Fresh Manna verse, you hear the words Moses spoke to the children of Israel. God was preparing them for something better—a move from a temporary place to a promised place. He had already led them out of a bad place, and now He was leading them toward something greater. Isn’t that just like our loving God and Heavenly Father? He always desires to bring us into a better place.
But here’s the sad part—they never made it there. Why? Because they were afraid. They feared that God might not do what He had promised. They focused more on the uncertainty of where they were going than on the faithfulness of the One leading them. Their fear erased their trust and robbed them of the faith that could have made His promise a reality in their lives. Fear painted a deceptive picture that the awful place they had come from was somehow safer than the unknown place God had prepared for them.
You might think, “I’d never be like that.” But the truth is—you might. Unless you are firmly convinced that God wants to bring you into a better place, you risk falling into the same trap. If your confidence is in your own ability to get there, you’re just like them. Because when your strength runs out, fear will take over. But when you know your covenant with God—when your faith is anchored in His promise and His goodness—you’ll keep moving forward, trusting that He will bring you into that better place.
Joshua and Caleb understood this. They believed in God’s promise of a better life and greater blessings. But the other leaders were not rooted in faith. When they saw the giants and fortified cities of the Promised Land, they panicked. They cried out,
“If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? … Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” (Numbers 14:2–3, NIV)
They said, “The people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there.” (Numbers 13:28, NIV)
Joshua and Caleb tried to silence those fears. They urged the people to trust God and move forward into His promise. And who eventually saw the promises fulfilled? Joshua and Caleb—the ones who believed. Those who feared and doubted never entered in.
God still wants to bring you into a better place. What does that look like? You tell me. If you were once spiritually bankrupt and now know that Jesus loves you, is that a better place? It is to me! If you were once bound for Hell but now you’re bound for Heaven—is that a better place? It is to me! If you used to live for the world but now live for God, is that a better place? It is to me!
He has brought me into a life I am passionate about—a life lived in His ways. That’s better! I once influenced people toward the wrong things, but now I influence many toward God. That’s better! He’s delivered me from myself and taught me how to love the most wonderful wife in the world. That’s better! He’s given me four beautiful children and seven grandchildren. That’s better! He’s blessed me with a better home, better cars, and a beautiful church family and congregation to serve alongside with. That’s better! He’s renewed my mind to His Word and allowed me, by His grace, to share His Word and serve others all around the world every day. That’s a better place!
Everything in my life is better than it was—and it keeps getting better. It’s supposed to. That’s part of His covenant promise. God was pleased when Joshua and Caleb believed Him. He said that Caleb had a different spirit—a spirit of faith that trusted His goodness.
I praise God for “the better place.” And I praise Him that He has a better place for you also! Even if you’re in a great place right now, God still has something better ahead. The better place isn’t given so we can indulge ourselves—it’s so that we can be equipped for every good work and become a blessing to others representing the love of Jesus to this world! Amen!
As today’s Fresh Manna reminds us, “...that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you.”
