May the mumbling commence!
OK, I admit it. I am geographically challenged. For me, it makes the allotment of the Promised Land less than spiritually inspiring. And, in Joshua, the allotment of the Promised Land takes seven chapters. That makes today’s reading, tomorrow’s reading, and a part of the next day’s reading – almost to the end of March!
It’s time for me to buckle down and dig for something good these next few days. Today, my eye was caught by the steadfast nature of Caleb. Caleb was Joshua’s counterpart in spy gate. Both Caleb and Joshua tried to encourage Israel to enter into the Promised Land with the Lord at their lead. Of their generation, only Joshua and Caleb survived to see the Promised Land. Read this passage from Joshua 14:
Now the men 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. 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, but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly. 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.'
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." (Verses 6-12)
Caleb followed the Lord wholeheartedly, and the Lord followed through on His promise. Caleb was to receive the land that he set foot upon. Just as he spoke his heart’s convictions forty-five years ago, Caleb once again spoke his convictions – despite the mighty Anakite presence and despite the fortified cities, Caleb would drive them out. Caleb would drive them out with the Lord’s help. These were the same encouraging words that Caleb spoke so long ago.
Now, at the age of eighty-five, Caleb spoke these words of great faith in the Lord and committed himself to action. There are second chances. So, when we look back on our lives and see failures of faith, we can be assured if we strive to keep to the path we will be given another chance to test our faith and prove worthy of the title of children of God.
Do NOT give up on the journey. If you hear this advice, it is Satan trying to deceive you.
I thank God this day for second chances to prove our faith in the Lord and to allow the Lord’s light to shine through us.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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