Another Role Model
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you: he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6
There’s another role model, a thoroughly human one for us to follow: Caleb. This young man had a spine to match his great heart for God’s purposes, and that made all the difference. After departing Egypt the Israelites were directed by God to cross the Jordan and possess the Promised Land, and sent scouts ahead to check it out. Caleb’s friends returned from their mission believing the place to which God was calling them could not be conquered. There were too many obstacles, too many threats, too many great costs, too many sacrifices, and way too may giants in the land. Fear paralyzed them as they entered the red zone. Instead of 111 defenders, it looked more like 111 giants to Caleb’s friends.
Sadly, the people were swayed by the majority opinion. As a result, God condemned them to wander in the desert for forty years. But for his faithfulness, Caleb was one of two men in his generation to see the Promised Land. One quality separated him from the other:
But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it. (Numbers 14:24)
Caleb found the new place God had called him to inherit, the place of freedom and the place of hope. He was fully committed and he fully trusted.
God is calling you to a new place. This new place can be conquered. It’s a matter of having the heart and the spine.
Father, You are the supplier of everything I need to possess Caleb’s undivided heart and his courageous spine.