The Israelites said, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in the wilderness! Why does the Lord bring us into this land, to fall by the sword? Let us choose a captain and go back to Egypt.”

Caleb responded, “The land which we passed through to spy out, is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us.”

Numbers 14:2, 57-8a

The Israelites hear the evil report from the ten spies, and it poisons their minds and hearts. Despite all that God has done for them, they quickly lose heart and want to go back to Egypt. Caleb speaks up and reminds the people that it is an exceedingly good land and that they do not have to fight for it on their own. God will bring about the victory.

When we pursue goals, there will be times when we are tempted “to go back to Egypt,” to go back to the places where we were comfortable. At those times, we must remind ourselves of the exceedingly good places God wants to lead us. 

Pray today for the grace to resist the temptation to go back to Egypt.