Joshua 14-16

Following seven years of battle, Joshua and Eleazar the priest divide up the Promise Land among the eleven tribes of Israel just as God has instructed in Joshua 14-16.  The boundaries are very specific.  The Levites, remember, take their inheritance from the Lord Himself, not the land.  God wants them to spend their time serving His people, not themselves.  Israel controls Canaan, but there is still work to do.  Each tribe is responsible for clearing out the remaining enemies in the land it has been given.  And remember Caleb, the faithful spy with Joshua who went into the Promise Land just prior to  spending 40 years in the wilderness?  Caleb's strong faith carries him, some 45 years later.

At this point, Caleb is 85 years old, and his faith is still amazing.  He knows what God promised him many years ago, and he holds on to that.  I can hear Caleb's strength and zeal for God as I read his conversation with Joshua today.

10 “Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! 11 I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. 12 Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”

Joshua 14:10-12

Caleb is a real spit-fire.  Age is nothing to Caleb.  Instead of retirement plans, Caleb is ready to continue fighting for God, even against giants like the Anakites.  It's clear that his faith keeps him going.  The man depends on God, and God does not disappoint.  

Caleb follows God wholeheartedly.

When you think about it, what does following God wholeheartedly, like Caleb, mean in your life?

What promises come to mind?

It's a life-long job, following God.  It's a job that is full of promise, blessing, adventure, challenge, even struggle.  It isn't an easy job, and there's no time for retirement.  But if we will hold on to our faith, it will save us and continue to bless us.  Following God is the most rewarding job any of us will ever have.

13 I can do all things through Christ[a] who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

A prayer for today-

Dear God,

I thank You for pouring Your promises into my heart and into my life.  Thank You for being forever faithful to me and for sustaining me with Your grace through Christ, my Lord and Savior.

Lord, as I get older, may the days, weeks, months, and years strengthen my faith and deepen my understanding of You and Your unconditional love.  Grant me and my family, for generations to come, the discernment and the wisdom to follow You wholeheartedly.

In the name of Jesus I pray,

Amen

*This post is part of A Mind-Maker-Upper's Everyday Reading Project.  Click here to read more.