Posts Tagged ‘Caleb’

Wholehearted Minority

Friday, April 16th, 2010

What one word best describes your Christian life? For Caleb, the word is wholehearted. It’s used to describe him three times in Joshua 14 (NLT). Verses 7,8 make the first mention:

“I was forty years old when Moses, the servant of the LORD, sent me from Kadesh-barnea to explore the land of Canaan. I returned and gave an honest report, but my brothers who went with me frightened the people from entering the Promised Land. For my part, I wholeheartedly followed the LORD my God.”

Caleb’s my hero. Unlike the majority, he refused to succumb to doubt and subsequent disobedience. He refused to focus on the obstacles, placing his sights on God’s character and promises instead. Fear paralyzed the Israelites but he moved beyond its threatening shadow. His heart was fully intent on following God no matter what.

God honors those who wholeheartedly follow Him. Unfortunately, it sometimes seems He’s dealing with a minority. While many claim their faith is strong, their actions prove otherwise when that faith is challenged beyond what’s comfortable. They succumb to fear and settle for the lowlands rather than embracing God’s commands as a challenge to conquer and possess new territory. They’re willing to do whatever God asks provided it’s easy and quick. In reality, the word half-hearted or three-quarters-hearted more accurately describes their Christian faith.

Caleb numbered among the wholehearted minority. I want to join him there. I want to rise above fear and the temptation to settle for a safe and comfortable life. I want to embrace God’s commands as opportunities to experience His promises, conquer the enemy, and possess new territory. I want to leave a legacy that shouts, “Grace wholeheartedly followed the LORD her God.” I know that comes with a cost, but Jesus deserves my best and my all.

How about you? What one word best describes your Christian life? I pray that it’s wholehearted. If not, what needs to change so you can join Caleb’s minority club?

The Iceland volcano has clouded skies and grounded thousands of flights this week. Here's a picture of blue skies over Greenland, taken two weeks ago while flying home from Europe.

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I Wanna be Like Caleb!

Friday, April 17th, 2009

Caleb is one of my all-time favorite OT characters. When Moses appointed him and 11 other men to spy out the Promised Land, he and Joshua were the only two who came back with a “Let’s go for it!” attitude. The others focused on the challenges and bred fear into the Israelites. As a result, the people disobeyed God and ended up wandering around in the wilderness for 40 years.

Joshua 14:7-14 tells it all. Caleb was a man of wisdom and courage. A man firm in his belief and behavior, unswayed by the fearful and faithless who surrounded him. What set him apart? Look at v. 7,8 – “I was forty years old when Moses, the servant of the Lord, sent me from Kadesh-barnea to explore the land of Canaan. I returned and gave from my heart a good report, but my brothers who went with me frightened the people and discouraged them from entering the Promised Land. For my part, I followed the Lord my God completely.”

Caleb followed the Lord completely. He’d embraced Him as his God, worshiping nothing else above Him. He saw the same challenges as his co-spies did when they surveyed the Promised Land, but he viewed them through God’s command and promise. He knew God was bigger than any obstacle they faced, and he trusted Him to give them victory. He followed God alone, not his feelings or the negative report made by the other spies.

I wanna be like Caleb. When presented with a challenge or seeming impossibility, I want to operate according to God’s truth, not according to what others say or feel. I want my life to exemplify rock-solid faith in an all-powerful God. I want to follow the Lord my God completely, and to encourage others to do the same. Let it never be said that I frightened others and discouraged them from pursuing God’s plans for them because of my feeble faith. Rather, let it be said that I wholeheartedly followed the Lord.

Is this your prayer, too?

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