Joshua 14:10-12 - "Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said
this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I
am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as
the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to
battle now as I was then. Now give me
this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You
yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their
cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I
will drive them out just as he said."
Bold…courageous Caleb….he trusted God just like Joshua….and as
the land is being divided…he recalls to his friend the promise that the Lord
had made to Moses. He had faithfully
followed Moses…and now his friend Joshua for 45 years…knowing that this day
would come. For God had given him the
very piece of land he saw as he spied out the land…45 years ago….a promise that
had powered his faith…and kept him strong… healthy…bold…courageous…and
passionate all these many years.
Oh what joy must have overflowed in his heart as he proudly
walked the tribe of Judah to the beautiful land he had thought about for 45
years. He was probably praying the whole
time for God to reveal his plans for driving out those giants. Or maybe he was shouting multiple thank you’s
the entire walk. Maybe he recited the laws of Moses…and told the story of his
spy days to the children that searched him out…as the hero of the tribe of
Judah…. one who had seen the vision of God and not been afraid….despite the
odds.
I want to grow up to be just like Caleb…with a faith that
makes me believe at 85…I can do anything. I would like to have that faith
today...in this moment…at 54. I want to fully grasp the power of faith in my
life…and use it to move the giants that inhabit the land God wants to give
me. I am a bit behind….for his faith was
fully in place at 45…and grew stronger every day he followed God’s will…and
patiently waited for the promise to manifest in his life. But I know a God who does miracles of might
and power and wonder…so if I can find the strength to believe…God can go with
me too….and even make up all the time I am behind.
Father…how wonderful you are to be so patient with me…and
remind me so many times that I have a source of power and strength that can
help me do anything. I thank you for Caleb…and his story of faith…that
stretches beyond my human understanding of what we are capable of doing. Remove the barriers that are blocking the
growth of a ‘Caleb-like’ faith…that will power me to do anything…and never be
afraid of anything worldly thing again. Amen.
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