“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” (Joshua 14:12 ESV).
Caleb had been one of the twelve spies who Moses sent into the Promised Land. He and Joshua were the only two who gave a positive report. The people were swayed by the majority report and became fearful, doubting God. This resulted in 40 years of wandering in the wilderness to raise up a new generation of faithful warriors. Only Caleb and Joshua remained from the adults who first left Egypt. Caleb was 40 years old when he first saw the land flowing with milk and honey. Now, on this day he was 85 years old when he asked Joshua to give him the mountains, to give him the giants, for he was still as strong as he was 45 years before.
He could have asked for anything. He could have requested a nice walled city or a grassy plain, but he asked for the hills of Hebron and the land of the giant Anakites who made men feel as small as grasshoppers in comparison. When others would want their retirement and days spent fishing, Caleb still wanted to accomplish great things for God.
Many men begin well, but few finish well. Caleb finished even better than he started. How do you hope to finish for God?
PRAYER: Dear Father, may you give us the grace to finish strong like Caleb. For we are often tired and weary, yet we look to You for strength and direction. Empower us and revive us for You this day. In Jesus’ name, amen.