Victorious living 

‘We should go up and take possession...for we can certainly do it.’ Numbers 13:30 NIV 

The twelve spies Joshua sent into the Promised Land all saw the same thing. But ten came back saying, ‘The people who live there are powerful, and the cities are...very large...We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes’ (Numbers 13:28, 33 NIV). They caused such panic that the people wanted to stone Moses, pick a new leader, and go back into Egyptian slavery. Incredible! But not Caleb! He had ‘a different spirit’ (Numbers 14:24 NIV). Listen: ‘We should go up and take possession...for we can certainly do it’ (Numbers 13:30 NIV). Years later, when Joshua was dividing the Promised Land amongst the tribes, Caleb stepped forward and said, ‘Here I am today, eighty-five years old!...just as vigorous...as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me...Then Joshua blessed Caleb...and gave him Hebron as his inheritance’ (Joshua 14:10-13 NIV). Caleb lived the winning life because: a) he recalled the promises of God and acted on them; b) he dared to take an unpopular stand; c) he refused to quit when the pressure was on; d) he saw possibilities where others saw only problems; and e) he kept his mind young even when his body was old. Does that describe you? Listen: ‘The eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him’ (2 Chronicles 16:9 NKJV). As you face continued challenges God wants to show you what He can do in you, for you and through you! Will you let Him? 

Prayer Point:

Father, when I’m faced with unpopular decisions in life, give me the confidence to stay close to the convictions of my heart. Even if things around me are shouting out for me to compromise my stand, I pray that I will have the faith and boldness to keep my eyes focussed on You. No matter what the storms look like, I choose to believe in You.