Faith-fueled Pensioner
Opening Prayer
Lord, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psa. 119:105). Be my light today and every day.
Read JOSHUA 14:6–15
6 Now the people of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the Lord said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. 7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, 8 but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly. 9 So on that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.’
10 “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 wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! 11 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. 12 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.”
13 Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. 14 So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly. 15 (Hebron used to be called Kiriath Arba after Arba, who was the greatest man among the Anakites.)
Then the land had rest from war.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Are you looking through eyes of faith today or eyes of doubt?What do you expect to be doing when you hit 85? You may not expect to be as strong as when you were 40 (11) but the incredible Caleb was preparing to take possession of the hill country (12) that he had been promised by faith 45 years previously (6,9). Think about that for a moment: Caleb did not let go of God’s promise to him—through Moses—for 45 years. Caleb is to us an incredible example of positive, tenacious belief in God’s character and word. Back in his 40s, Caleb had viewed the land of Canaan with “eyes of faith.” Despite the skepticism he met, Caleb had spoken compellingly to his people to convince them of God’s promise and empowering presence (Num. 13:30).
How can we become like Caleb? Verse 8 reveals his determination to follow God “wholeheartedly.” Ask God for that kind of determination. In all of our weakness, temptation and struggles with sin, the Holy Spirit will empower us to take small
(or large) steps to develop “Caleb character.” No matter how young or old we are, it is possible to live a life of significance and meaning, to the glory of God.
Apply
What promises from God have you let go of? What promises of God do you need to take (or keep) hold of?
Closing prayer
God, I want to have a faith that walks boldly in Your ways. Give me God-courage today and strengthen my trust in You.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.