From: April 16, 2024
“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.
From: April 16, 2023
“Unfailing love and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed! Truth springs up from the earth, and righteousness smiles down from heaven” (Psalm 85:10-11 NLT).
Personifying the divine attributes, the psalmist wrote of a day when unfailing love and truth would finally join together and righteousness and peace would embrace. “Unfailing love” is the translation of the Hebrew word “chesed,” which can be translated “mercy” or “covenantal love.” This is God’s kind of love. It is a sacrificial and lasting love. The result of this union would cause truth to burst like a seed from the earth and righteousness to smile down from the flung open windows of heaven.
Surely the meeting of these divine attributes is fulfilled in Christ! For God’s love and truth intersected in Christ on the cross. God’s truth and holiness put Him there to die in our place and God’s love and mercy were the nails that held Him fast. God’s desire for our righteousness and for peace and reconciliation between God and humanity were met in the Messiah like an embrace, as He tasted death for us. Yet, the Truth sprang from the earth on the third day. He has flung open the windows of heaven, so that righteousness shines down on those who follow Him.
All the divine attributes are met in Christ. The Son of God was crucified, buried and raised on the third day. He is risen! Let all the earth rejoice!
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are thankful that Your love and truth are revealed in Christ Jesus. Because of Him, You have opened up the heavens to us, so that we might know You and become Your adopted children. May we tell the good news of what You have done in Jesus for us. In His name we pray, amen.
From: April 16, 2015
Caleb was one of the 12 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 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. 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 grasshoppers in comparison. When others would want their retirement and days spent fishing, Caleb still wanted to accomplish things for God. Many men begin well, but few finish well. Caleb finished better than he started. If the Lord allows me to live until 85, may He grant me the passion and strength to ask for the mountain!
From: April 16, 2014
Caleb was one of the 12 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 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. 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 pre-built city or a grassy plain, but he asked for the hills of Hebron and the land of the Anakites who made men feel as grasshoppers in comparison. When others would want their retirement and days spent fishing, Caleb still wanted to accomplish things for God. Many men begin well, but few finish well. Caleb knew how to finish better than he started. May God make us a generation like Caleb!