Joshua 14:7-8 (NIV) I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.
This is Caleb’s testimony. As we remember, because of the rebellion and disobedience of the Israelites, only Caleb and Joshua were permitted to enter the promised land (along with those who had been under the age of 20). While the naysayers instilled panic and fear into the hearts of men, Caleb spoke “according to [his] convictions.” In other words, he told the truth, knowing that God was greater than any dangers, obstacles, or challenges they might face. He followed God wholeheartedly when others saw only roadblocks.
Now I’m fairly certain there is no need to elaborate on how this might apply to us today. When your Heavenly Father has a task for you and whispers in your ear, I’m fairly certain you can immediately perceive all the roadblocks and challenges you might face. Humans are pretty adept at manufacturing excuses. Yet Caleb’s life is the role model to follow: Speak the truth according to your convictions. Do not succumb to peer pressure. Follow God with all your heart—wholeheartedly. Yet, friends, there is something even more remarkable about this event. Listen to the rest of Caleb’s testimony.
Joshua 14:10-11 (NIV) 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 desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! 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.
We often forget that our actions do have ripple-effect consequences for others. You see, it wasn’t just the rebellious naysayers who had to roam the desert for forty years. Caleb, Joshua, and all the young ones had to roam with them for forty years, too. Now, at age eighty-five, Caleb was still ready to venture forth into whatever God had in store for him. He was still ready to follow God wholeheartedly, even into battle. He still trusted the God who was greater than any dangers, obstacles, or challenges he might face.
Gracious Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the example Caleb set for us. He spoke the truth of his convictions without succumbing to fear instilled by the naysayers of his day. He followed you with all his heart. Even in his senior years, he was ready to serve you wholeheartedly. May I be able to do the same.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
The devotional Serving Wholeheartedly appeared first on Write From My Heart at
https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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