Still Strong!
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, I’m grateful for the gift of this day and the gift of health to live it for You.
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. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What special blessing had God given to Caleb?We are privileged witnesses to the testimony of Caleb, who in this story would already have drawn his pension for 20 years! Despite his age, he still resonated with passion for God’s work. He had waited 45 years to see God’s promise delivered (10), when many would have given up. Caleb knew, however, that God could be trusted and always delivered on his promises (12b). In this short account, Caleb offers us a working example of how a true believer should live their life. They should be a person of conviction (7) who follows the ways of God (14), however unpopular this choice (8) and however long it takes (10). They should be strong and vigorous for God (11), believing that God’s promises never fail (10). And age is no barrier to faithfulness. Caleb was no stranger to war (12), but once again we are reminded that it was through God’s power that the Promised Land was taken (14b), and not through force of arms. It is interesting that this short passage concludes with one of the results of God’s blessing: “the land had rest from war” (15). Blessed are the peacemakers.
Apply
At whatever your age, how are you living according to the characteristics Caleb showed? Is there room for further growth?
Closing prayer
Ask God to renew your passion and vision for his work, so you may follow him wholeheartedly and with conviction.
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