THERE are two ways of looking upon every difficulty which besets the child or the church of God. And the difficulties are legion, Satan will hedge us about with as many as he can. He will make what are not difficulties at all seem so, that he may discourage us. God removes from our sight many difficulties that we know not of nor will we know till the leaves of the judgment books unroll. He permits others always for our good, difficulties often of our own making, often of others' making. But there is profit in every one of them for him or them called upon to meet them. It all depends upon the way we look at the matter. If we with physical sight only look upon the obstacles in the way, the difficulties around us, we shall surely become discouraged. They will seem too much for human strength and wisdom, and we will yield the conflict. So looked ten of the twelve spies Moses sent forth. Doubtless they were considered bright, clear-headed, able men. They were princes among the people. They had brought themselves near to the murmuring people, and possessed their confidence. (See Numbers 13: 14; Deut. 1: 22-25.) The spies passed through the land. They saw the goodly land, its fertility, its productiveness, just as God had promised; but looming above all these assurances, they saw the great and high-walled cities, and the gigantic men; and then they looked upon their own small stature, remembered the women and children and the way-worn host from Egypt, and were discouraged. And coming back, laden with fruit, to the murmuring, discouraged people, they presented their despairing, fatal report, which turned a multitude back into the wilderness, and buried a whole generation in desert graves. There were two other men among the spies, strong, manly men, but perhaps no more so physically than their ten brethren. They saw what the ten saw,—the fruit, the beauty, the fertility, the great and walled cities, the mighty Nephilim, the giants of great stature. But they saw more. They saw in the fruit, in the goodly land, in the abounding vegetation and flowers, producing the "milk and honey," the word of God which had come to them in Egypt plain writ before their eyes. They saw, by the clear eyes of a luminous faith, angels of God accompanying them. They saw Israel's host of weary-journeyed men, women, and children marching into the land with songs of gladness, "thanksgiving and the voice of melody," surrounded by the shining host of God. Not with naked physical eye did they see this; but they saw it not the less clearly and definitely by the eye of faith. And so they reported: "Let us go up at once and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it." God was with them; and what were all obstacles and difficulties to Him? He would not fail, could not fail. If they would only go, He would lead them all the way. There was in reality but one insurmountable obstacle, but one difficulty in the way: the unbelief of the people. And that is all that ever hindered a single soul. God will not compel men to believe in His infinite power. His fathomless wisdom, His undying love, and His exhaustless resources, all are pledged to the salvation and eternal triumph of humanity. But humanity must accept them. God invites us by His eternal goodness, but He will not coerce. O hasten, put away the unbelief. Let faith see God leading all the way. Use the obstacle for a stepping-stone heavenward. Let the difficulty bring you nearer to God. In Him is victory. "Weak as you are, you shall not faint,
Or, fainting, shall not die;
Jesus the strength of every saint,
Will aid you from on high.
Tho now unseen by earthly sense,
Faith sees Him always near;
A guide, a glory, a defense,
What, then, have we to fear?"