Through the Bible: Joshuaنموونە
Your Strength, Not Mine
And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, just as he said, these forty-five years since the time that the Lord spoke this word to Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness. And now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old. I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming. So now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the Lord said."
Joshua 14:10-12 (ESV)
In Joshua 14:6-15, it’s time for Caleb to receive his portion of land. After the other spies gave unfavorable reports, Caleb and Joshua were the only spies to enter the Promised Land because they trusted God wholeheartedly. Despite Caleb’s old age of 85 years, he had no intention to leave the battleground, having the conviction that God would help him.
Caleb’s wholeheartedness to God made his path straight in uncertain times when others doubted God. Caleb didn’t depend on his own power but God’s. He believed God would help him do whatever needed to be done. It’s a good reflection for us: do we give ourselves wholly to following God?
Moreover, many people think age limits what we can achieve. Caleb shows us the opposite—we can still do great things for God despite our physical constraints. This is what God envisions for us as we grow in years—growing older, but not weaker in Jesus!
Prayer:
Lord, we want to be like Caleb, to be fully committed and dependent on you. May Your Holy Spirit fill us with strength and peace to accomplish Your will. In Jesus' name, Amen.
About this Plan
The book of Joshua records the Israelites’ conquest of the Canaanite Land and testifies of God’s faithfulness to His promise. Just as the author says in 21:45, “Not one of all the LORD's good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.” Similarly, when life hits hard, always remember to be strong and courageous and cling onto God’s promises. Sooner or later, all will come to pass.
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