Editor's note: Enjoy this devotion written for Devotionals Daily by Faith Eury Cho author of Joshua.
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There were only two left – Joshua and Caleb. An entire generation had passed before anyone got to taste and see the land that God had promised. Alongside their family and friends, Joshua and Caleb saw the Nile turning red and heard the screams of the Egyptians who lost their firstborns. However, those family and friends were no longer around. Caleb and Joshua stood by their loved ones while standing in terror before the Red Sea with the thunder of Egyptian chariots heard behind them. But now, there were just two left who were able to clearly and vividly recall the sweetness of the first fall of manna from heaven for the first time. They also happened to be the ones who urged their fellow Israelites to remain bold and courageous enough to go claim the Promised Land decades before.
Caleb recounted this moment by saying,
My brothers who went with me caused the people to lose heart, but I followed the LORD my God completely, — Joshua 14:8
By this point, he must have been like a museum piece to the others of his tribe, a relic of a different age. Yet, he carried on as if the future was rich with hope, and his eyes still sparkled with faith.
Caleb proclaimed,
I am still as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out. My strength for battle and for daily tasks is now as it was then, — Joshua 14:11
Even amongst other younglings, Caleb had unmatched ferocity and unwavering tenacity.
It must have left the men who fought alongside him bewildered as to where he got his strength and courage. What was the secret?
If Caleb was a man of today, we’d be flocking to him for his daily regimen or assuming he’s just genetically gifted. Today, we are always looking for what makes us better, greater, and stronger. Our affinity to self-help and self-betterment can transfer to our spiritual journey, consequently making our faith all about developing and refining ourselves more than walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. It is common for people to seek strength and courage by turning inward and trying to discover it from within. The world offers all sorts of tips and tricks that suggest that the more we work on ourselves the more likely we will develop these qualities.
However, Caleb’s strength and courage were not attained from believing in himself or exceptional because of his own giftedness.
- Who he became and what he accomplished were the results of following God completely.
Some other translations like the NIV or the NLT describe the way Caleb followed God as doing so wholeheartedly. Caleb attained the supernatural power to become strong and courageous by remaining wholeheartedly and completely obedient to his God. It was the willingness to say YES when the rest of his comrades said NO. It was the choice to believe in God’s faithfulness, even as his fellow friends and family members began passing away, one by one.
Have you ever had or heard of the type of friend that’s willing to drop everything to take an emergency call from you or to go with you on an impromptu trip? You know those people that are willing to try some crazy ideas with you or pray with you through uncertain times? Those are the ones that will wholeheartedly follow you wherever you go. They are with you completely. That was the sort of friend Caleb was to God. He stuck with God when it made no sense. He went into the battles that seemed impossible to win. He said yes to the sacrifice. He remained faithful to God through the wait. It was this complete obedience that gave Caleb the grace to do the things other Israelites were not able to do.
Is your life defined by a complete obedience to God? If there are areas where you’ve been compromising, then take the opportunity to bring that to the Lord in confession and repentance. If you want a God-given strength and courage to last and abound in you, you must be willing to wholeheartedly follow Jesus.
Dear Jesus,
Today, I choose to follow your commands even if I do not feel like it.
I choose to obey your words even if I don’t see fruit right away.
You are worth following.
You are worth trusting.
I will love you, not just because of your benefits, but because of who you are.
Please help me to live as Caleb lived, wholeheartedly devoted to you.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!
Written for Devotionals Daily by Faith Eury Cho author of Joshua.
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Your Turn
Are you a wholehearted follower of Jesus? Are you willing to do anything with gusto for Him? What if those around you are negative or frightened? Can you still choose to be bold like Caleb and Joshua? ~ Devotionals Daily