Message from Scripture: 10/14/2020

 

Our message from Scripture today is Josh. 14:12. “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.”

 

When Israel determined not to go into the promised land, as God had told them to do (Num. 13-14), only Joshua and Caleb encouraged the people to obey God. Of that generation, only Joshua and Caleb would enter the promised land. When that time came, Caleb wanted the territory where he could best serve God, to drive out the Anakim, as God told them to do. Caleb, even in old age, was determined to do what God said. What kind of faith did Caleb have to motivate Him to do this?

 

Caleb had a faith that helped him to accept the challenges set before him. For us, James reminds us for faith to grow, we need to go through the trials of life trusting in God, stretching our spiritual convictions, and seeing what God will do when we commit ourselves to Him. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (Jas. 1:2-4).

 

Caleb was willing to do what he could for the Lord, no matter what that was. For us, life in Christ is to be characterized by continual growth. Christianity is a life-long endeavor. Paul encourages us, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Gal. 6:9).

 

Like Caleb and so many who have come before us, the greatest blessings to be found as a Christian await those who accept God's challenge and live each day, all their days, through faith. Let’s encourage each other in this worthy goal, as our God is worthy of our trust, our lives. Have a great day today. God bless.

 

Robert