This post is going to be a short and sweet introduction to a man that has fascinated me. He isn’t spoken about much in Christian circles (to my knowledge) and even in the bible he is mentioned very little. Notwithstanding, his story carries so much power and encouragement.
Where can he be found?
Numbers 13 -14
Joshua 14: 6 -15
What’s his story?
Caleb was a spy along with Joshua and 10 others, sent out to search the new land the people would be entering and bring a report back. Now all the spies, bar Caleb and Joshua, brought back a report of fear and told the people they could not possibly overcome the giants in the land. Caleb stood up for the promises of God. Admitting that indeed there were giants but the God of Israel would be with them to defeat those giants. Did they listen? Who’s report did they believe? The scare mongering of course! Much like us today, the children of Israel admitted defeat before the fight. They fed off the fear of the other spies and even wanted to kill those who reminded them of what God had said. Fear sometimes trumps faith because we can often clearly see what we fear yet faith is the substance of things hoped for. We and the children of Israel glory in the things hoped for but are unwilling to fight the fight that moves those things from hope to reality.
Later on in the book of Joshua we see Caleb make an appearance again, this time 45 years later. He is still full of energy and ready to take on any challenge he would face when claiming the land he was promised.
What have I learnt from him?
Have a different spirit – the bible notes that Caleb had a ‘different’ spirit and for this he and Joshua were the only ones of the wilderness generation to see the promised land. How was his spirit different? He was holding on to the promise of God rather than the lie of the other 10 spies. He put himself on the line by sticking to the Truth versus the reality. So when everyone is complaining, being negative etc have a different spirit. Be bold enough to stand on the truth of what God has said.
Follow the Lord wholeheartedly – in Joshua 14 Caleb said he brought back the report as it was in his heart. Sometimes we underestimate the power of God speaking to our heart and perhaps wait for some external experience as confirmation. For the 10 negative spies I believe they were expecting there to be no giants to slay. However because there were, they thought ‘nah we can’t do this’ EVEN THOUGH GOD HAD PROMISED. If it is in line with God’s word, you have prayed and made sure, why not ‘follow your heart?’ From Caleb I came to see that a wholehearted response looks something like this ->
God speaks to your heart
You listen
You obey (carry out the task)
Though it may tarry, it will surely come – Caleb waited a whole 45 years between the word of God going out to him and its manifestation. Can we do that? Or will we think ‘maybe I misheard’ or maybe it just wont happen for some reason or another. What was Caleb doing in that time? The bible doesn’t really say but I know one thing for sure, he wasn’t just waiting. His energy and vigour remained up until the age of 85! I don’t know about you but I want that to be true of me. What must we do? We must remain active both physically and spiritually, renewing our strength in the Lord. There are people that have stopped living and are just waiting because of one promise, as if God has no other purpose for their life beyond that promise. No way, not my God. Live and be in the right state for the manifestation of all His promises, those you know and those you don’t.
Why do I say this? When Caleb went to Joshua to ask for Hebron, he told Joshua that he was aware that there were some tough people in that land. However, the Lord promised that land to him and therefore because he remained as strong as he was the day the word went out to him, with the help of the Lord who promised, he would drive them out. At this point I was gassed! 85 years old, still ready for battle! I claim it because it is clearly possible. Like Caleb, we have things to drive out on the way to and in our promised land. What are we doing now to remain or even have any strength in 40/50 years time? Are we strong enough to wait that long for the manifestation of a promise?
Let’s take notes and be strong and courageous like Caleb. Fight the good fight of faith. 