Numbers 13 And then there they were.. heading towards the land of promise.. and the Lord tells Moses to send out men to "spy out the land of Canaan, which I am going to give to the sons of Israel.. " 

One man from each tribe (except Levi).  Their names are carefully recorded: Shammu; Shaphat; Caleb; Igal; Hoshea (Joshua); Palti; Gaddiel; Gaddi; Ammiel; Sether; Nahbi; Geuel.  12 men from prominent families... chosen for this special force.  Imagine the pride and excitement to be given this great privilege and responsibility. 

Moses gave them directions as to where they were to go and what they were supposed to observe - They were to go up into the south country ( the Negev) then move on into the hill country.  So they went on their way and traveled 40 days up into Canaan, going as far as Hebron where they saw the "giants".. the people of Anak.  They saw the people of Amalek,  the Hittites, the Jebusites and the Amorites. They saw the Canaanites.   They saw those who lived in the mountains and those by the sea. They saw the prosperity of the land and brought home the large cluster of grapes.  But.. they also brought home their fears and doubts.  

Only Caleb spoke up.  "We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we shall surely overcome it." 

But.. the other men increased their arguments.. "The land through which we have gone, in spying it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants; and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great size. There also we saw the Nephilim.. and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight."  The root of the word Nephilim, translated as "giants" is a word that means to fall.. to have a violent death, or to fall prostrate before .. The spies were ready to fall down in fear before these giants.  It was either that or they would be violently hewn down by them.  They exaggerated the story to say that "all" the people were giants. They felt their own weakness and led the people into fear instead of faith. 

This bad report.. especially with the addition of the word " Nephilim".. these "giants" brought the people to tears, "and the people wept that night." (14:1)  Their hopes were shattered and their faith was lost. 

 They "fell" to the enemy before even taking one step into  the land that God had promised to give them!

Father, You are greater than anyone or anything in this created world.. for You are the Maker and sustainer of everything.  Like David of old.. we may face the giants in our lives with faith and not fear!  Thank You for the examples of men like Caleb and Joshua.. like David and Paul and so many others that chose faith and not fear.  Let our testimony be that with You nothing is impossible . Let us stand before those who try to scare us.. knowing that our God is stronger.. and You will complete what You have said!  We bow before You and You only!  We will not fall.. for we stand on the solid rock... Jesus Christ the Lord.  He is our hope and we cling fast to His right hand.. for He will help us to keep on standing.  Thank You and Praise to our God!  You are Mighty to save and Gracious to all who look to You. Amen.