S) " 14 Therefore, Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite until this day, because he followed the Lord God of Israel fully."
Joshua 14:14 (NASB)
O) The Israelites had come into their Promised Land, and Caleb had now approached Joshua about the specifics of his own promised land. When he and Joshua spied out the Promised Land for Moses, they were the only two men (of the twelve that went), who believed that the LORD would deliver the Land into their hands. Because of that faith, that trust in the word and power of God, Caleb was promised that the land where he stepped would be his. But, that time he spent spying out the Land, and the promise he received because of his expressed faith in the face of obvious danger and also peer pressure, was only a sliver of his life and attitude toward God. The verse above reveals so much more than that. Hebron was not given to Caleb simply because he was a faithful spy. Caleb was blessed because he followed the LORD God of Israel fully.
A) Caleb is one of my favorite people in the Bible. The story of Joshua and him spying out the Land, and being the only two to bring back a favorable report, had been one of my favorite Old Testament stories as a child (although, somehow I'd always had the impression that he was much younger at that time. He was actually 40, which we learn in v.7). I love that he held onto his promise for 45 years, seeing that God was faithful to keep him alive throughout that time (see v.10). All of that time, he had been preparing himself to take hold of the promise God had for him. He was just as strong at 85 years old as he was at 40 years old. But, his tenacity, his strength, his focus, all of that comes secondary to his faithfulness in following the LORD his God fully. It is important for me to remember the promises I have in God. It is important for me to remain ready to act upon God's commands (and the leading of the Holy Spirit). It is important for me to be in good physical shape. But, none of this is as important as me following the LORD God fully.
P) Father, You are faithful to accomplish everything You say that You will. You are sovereign, to promise and do whatever You will. And, You are full of compassion and lovingkindness, blessing Your servant in grace and mercy. I have every reason to believe Your every word. I have every reason to follow You with all of my mind, soul, and strength. I confess that I am weak, and I fail to follow You fully. As I sit here, in the truth of Your scriptures, I am sobered by this fact. I want to follow You fully, Lord God. I want every part of me to be devoted to You. Everything You ask of me, it is Yours, Father. When I am 85 years old (if I am blessed to be so old), I pray that I am as healthy as I may be at 40 years old. But, when I am dead from this world, called to Your glory, I pray that it can be said of me that I was blessed because I followed You fully. Let Your will be done in, and with, my life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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