Read Joshua 14
Highlights:
The promised land divided among the tribes; Caleb asks for and takes Hebron; cities allotted to Judah.
Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said (Josh. 14:12).
Caleb was one of the twelve spies who had been chosen thirty-eight years earlier to spy out the land of Canaan. They all saw giants. Ten of the spies compared the giants to their own weakness, but Caleb and Joshua compared them to the power of God. At that time, Caleb wholly followed the Lord (Deut. 1:36) and was not influenced by the unbelieving majority. Along with Joshua, Caleb faithfully represented the Lord and urged the people not to rebel against Him (Num. 14:9). But the unbelieving spies were fearful of the giants and caused the people to turn back.
Because of his faithfulness, God promised Calbed the land of Hebron. Although he had to wait forty-five years before he could inherit his promised territory, we find no record that he found fault with God.
Now, upon entering the promised land, Caleb reminded Joshua that Moses sware on that day, saying, surely (Hebron) the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever (Josh. 14:9). Caleb's faith was fully rewarded, and he conquered his mountain (14:14).
Like the unbelieving spies, many Christians complain that their circumstances make it impossible to live a victorious Christian life. Consequently, they fail to believe and act upon the Word of God. But when Caleb was eighty-five years of age, he was just as confident and eager to fight the giants as he had been forty-five years earlier. God always honors the faith of those who believe in the all-sufficient power of God. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work (II Cor. 9:8).
When you are faced with what appears to be impossible circumstances, read again the words of Caleb: The Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said (Josh. 14:12).
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much. . . . If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? (Luke 16:10-11).
Thought for Today:
God always honors the faith that is established.
Christ Portrayed:
By Caleb, who wholly followed the Lord (Josh. 14:8,14). Our Savior said: Lo, I come . . . to do Thy will, O God (Heb. 10:7,9).
Word Studies:
14:4 save, except; suburbs, pasturelands; 14:7 espy out, make a search in; 14:8 wholly followed, obeyed wholeheartedly; 14:9 sware, promised under oath; 14:12 fenced, fortified; 14:15 had rest, enjoyed peace; 15:6 stone, boundary marker; 15:10 compassed, curved; 15:19 nether, lower; 16:1 fell, went; 16:3 goings out thereof are at, borders reach; 16:10 under tribute, as forced laborers.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Official: Rep. Howard Coble (NC) • Country: Ukraine (51 million) east-central Europe • Major languages: Ukrainian and Russian • Religious freedom • 55% Orthodox (various jurisdictions); 15% Catholic (mainly Greek-Catholic); 3.2% Protestant; 1% Jews; .5% Muslim; 25.3% Agnostic/Atheist/Other • Prayer Suggestion: Pray for more faithful Christian workers (I Thess. 1:2-3).
Optional Reading: John 9
Memory Verse for the Week: Philippians 2:15