Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the Lord my God(Josh. 14:7-8).
If we were to diligently search God’s Word, seeking a role model for living by faith, we would be hard-pressed to find a better example than Caleb, one of the original twelve men sent out by Moses to survey the Promised Land. It was Caleb who, along with Joshua, passionately pleaded with the people to trust God and enter Canaan. And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it (Num. 13:30). Forty-five years later, Caleb again stood before the people and spoke out in faith, confidently claiming the blessing promised to him by the Lord. 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).
Through a combination of word and deed, Caleb displayed four spiritual characteristics that are often sadly lacking today. First, he was true to his convictions. He knew what was right in the eyes of God, and he refused to keep silent about it, even in the face of extreme opposition and criticism. He knew the Word of God, and he was obedient to it. As a result, he was a man of deep faith. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Rom. 10:17).
Second, not only was Caleb unafraid to speak of his convictions, he was also unafraid to act. I wholly followed the Lord my God. Caleb was unaffected by what others said or did. His actions were guided solely by the commands of God, and the only reward that He sought was to fulfill his Master’s will. At the age of 85, he was still ready and willing to move against the Canaanite giants, knowing that if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out.
The third thing that stands out about Caleb is his personal relationship with the Lord. Caleb referred to the Lord my God. He was not merely following “the God of his fathers” but instead walking the path personally laid out for him by the living God he served. He loved the Lord, and he knew that the Lord loved him.
The last spiritual characteristic that set Caleb apart from many of his fellow Israelites was his trust in the Lord and the power of His Word. It was enough for Caleb that the Lord said. He didn’t need any further explanation. Through the grace of God, that trust had been transformed into unassailable faith. Caleb stood for God—without doubt, without worry, and without fear. If Caleb could understand so little yet have such perfect faith, how can we accept any less of ourselves when we have been blessed with the full knowledge of Jesus Christ and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit?
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love(I John 4:18).
Thought for Today: When our actions are fueled by our confidence in God, the strength of our faith determines the certainty with which we take them.
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 = pasture lands; 14:7 espy out = make a search; 14:8 wholly followed = obeyed wholeheartedly; 14:9 sware = promised under oath; 14:12 fenced = fortified; 14:15 rest = enjoyed peace; 15:6 stone = boundary marker.
Pray For:Ryan McCrary • Country: Turkey (81,619,392) Southeastern Europe and Southwestern Asia • Major Languages: Turkish, Kurdish • Although religious speech and conversions are legal, some Muslims, Christians, and Bahais faced government restrictions, surveillance, and harassment for alleged proselytizing. • 99.8% Sunni Muslim; 0.2% Other (Christian, Jews, Baha’i) • Prayer Suggestion: Ask that God’s will be done in your life (Luke 22:42).
Optional Reading John 9