Gods Sabbath

F AITH W ITHOUT W ORKS IS D EAT

101

An excellent example of this is when David marched with the Philistine host against Saul and his army (see 1Samuel 29:2). Every appearance indicated that David would fight with the Philistines against his own people. The Philistine king certainly believed this, and could not be convinced otherwise. But, al though David advanced with the Philistines, he had no intention of supporting them. Likewise, it would be a mistake to suppose that just because Caleb and Joshua were a part of the selected band sent to spy out the land, they were necessarily just as involved in the works program as the others. This does not mean, however, that they were trying to hide their thoughts or motives as David was. A far more reliable method of evaluating the situation would be on the basis of the principles involved. Regardless of contra ry appearances, the death of faith in the ten spies and the rest of the people shows that their faith was mingled with human works instead of God’s works. In contrast was the living trust manifested by the two loyal men in the hour of crisis. This proves that they were not involved in their own works. God has not seen fit to reveal exactly how they avoided this trap into which the others fell, but it is obvious that they did avoid it. Du tifully, they performed the task appointed to them, without par taking of the spirit which prompted the plan. Caleb and Joshua continued to trust in God and did not place their confidence in self as the other ten spies did. It was not until the testing hour arrived that the difference between the two groups was revealed. When people turn to their own works, their faith sometimes fails immediately, while on other occasions, the unbelief is not manifested until later. An example of faith failing immediately is when Elijah slept by the gates of Jezreel where Jezebel’s threat was com municated to him. He failed to direct his gaze to the almighty power of God but looked at his perilous situation instead. By so doing, he turned to his own works and his faith died instantly (see 1Kings 19:2–4). The Israelites at Kadesh did not experience their failure of faith until later. Their unbelief was not manifest until almost six weeks after they had turned to their own works in calling for the spies. But whether the result appears immediately or later, the