Joshua 13 & 14 -- What God Had Said About Caleb!

The Israelites were ready to see which tribes received what land.  God was picking it for them as they cast lots.  Two and a half tribes had settled for land outside of the Promised Land, because it looked great for raising cattle.  My commentary said that may have been so, but "it created serious problems for their children," being influenced by the nonbelievers in the land.

I loved what I was reading about Caleb, and how amazing it would have been to have had that said about yourself!  "You remember what the Lord said ... about you and me ... I was 40 years old then ... I fully believed the Lord would allow us to take the land.  Moses promised me, "... I will give you that land because you fully believed in the Lord, my God."  He said, "Here I am, 85 years old.  I am still as strong today as I was then, and I am just as ready to fight now as I was then.  So give me the mountain country..."

God had kept him young in body, mind, and spirit.  He wasn't ready to retire, but to fight for what was his.  After all, God had promised.  He didn't want an easy walk on some beach, but to conquer mountains.  This came about because he wholly followed the Lord.

Father, You kept being faithful to Caleb through those 40 years in the wilderness, and he remained faithful to you, waiting for what You had for him.  And then You gave him new land to conquer.  I am thankful for how faithful You've been to me.  I can't claim as he could that I've wholly followed You, but I still know that Your will is an expression of Your love, and I want to be doing whatever You know is best for me from this moment forward in my life!

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford