March 26th

Joshua 12:7-15:19

Joshua listed all of the kings which he and Israel defeated in the land of Canaan, thirty-one in all. Then God informed Joshua that he was getting old and that much of the land still needed to be conquered, so He commanded him to go ahead and allot each tribe’s inheritance and to let them drive out the inhabitants in their area.

It was at that point that Caleb approached Joshua with a special request. Remember, Caleb was one of the spies who returned from Canaan with a good report and the zeal to conquer it with God’s assistance. “I was forty years old when Moses sent me to explore the land of Canaan. I returned and gave from my heart a good report, but my brothers frightened the people and discouraged them from entering the Promised Land. For my part, I followed the Lord my God completely” (14:7, 8).

Because of Caleb’s spirit and because “he wholeheartedly followed the Lord” (15:14), Moses swore on that day to give a special piece of the Promised Land to Caleb and his descendants. Caleb was requesting that piece from Joshua, who gifted him with the city of Hebron. Shortly after, at the spry age of 85, Caleb and his men drove out from Hebron the Anakites, who were known to be giants.

What does it mean exactly to “follow the Lord wholeheartedly”? It means that Caleb abandoned his own sinful desires and selfish agenda and, instead, sold out to the Lord. It means that Caleb was obedient to all that the Lord commanded, no matter what. It means that Caleb saw his circumstances and his problems in light of God’s power and, therefore, he never doubted that, with God’s help, he could overcome anything that came his way.

Imagine what life would be like if we all lived in the spirit of Caleb. Imagine the confidence we would have if we lived with the mindset that nothing was too difficult for God. Nothing would intimidate us or cause us to worry or fear; and, nothing would be more important to us than to do what was right by the Lord. With that spirit we would conquer giants!

Daily Reflection

How would you describe being sold out to the Lord, to live in the spirit of Caleb?

Why aren’t more followers of God like Caleb? How sold out to God are you?

Too many people are either sold out to this world or sold out to themselves. Selling out to these things will leave you bankrupt of hope; but, selling out for the Lord will stretch and grow your faith beyond measure!

“If any man wishes to come after Me, let him deny Himself, take up his cross, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23).

BiAY.org | Day 85 — 280 Days to Go