One of the greatest goals set before mankind can be found in God’s word. Among His final instructions before departing this world, Jesus gave His disciples a mission. He said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16).

At the time, this goal may have seemed more than challenging—even overwhelming. Some may have even thought it impossible. Indeed, preach the gospel to the whole world with twelve men and a sparse group of followers. Do this in the face of adversity, trial and even death. Preach this message to a disinterested world.

This goal is reminiscent of a similar one in a parallel period of time, where the twelve tribes of Israel were sent to go forth and take the land God had promised them. When God commanded that twelve spies search out the land they were to take, despite their initial good report, ten of those spies clearly saw the goal that God had set as impossible for them to achieve. They proceeded to complain and rebel against the Lord. As a result of their faithlessness, they died and the rest of the people wandered in the wilderness for forty years. Only Joshua and Caleb had the fortitude and faith to move forward and achieve God’s goal (Num. 13:16-14:38).

Do we have the same fortitude and faith today that they did in the first century to meet the goal God has set for us? In their day, the disciples preached the gospel to every creature under heaven (Col. 1:23). They achieved that seemingly impossible goal the Lord had set!

That goal still stands for us in our generation. Will we preach the gospel to every creature under heaven? What other goals has the Lord set for us that— at the onset—seem impossible, but with a working faith, can be achieved? The Lord clearly sees a great power in setting a goal before His people. Do we?