Have you prayed for, and received, promises from God for certain matters, but after many years, even decades, those promises remain unfulfilled? You know you have the promises, but now you worry: has God forgotten? Have I sinned and lost them? If so, read about Caleb.
The Bible tells us Caleb possessed a “different spirit.” Only he and Joshua trusted God to help Israel overcome the Canaanites. While everyone else said, “We are grasshoppers in their sight,” Caleb and Joshua said, “With God’s help, they will become our bread.” The enraged people almost stoned them, but Caleb and Joshua held fast to God’s word.
Israel’s failure of faith delayed their entering the Promised Land for 40 more years. Only Caleb and Joshua of that generation entered. They had to wait those 40 extra years because of everyone else’s unbelief. By the time they crossed the Jordan River into Canaan, Caleb was 85 years old, and he still had to fight for his promised territory like the others.
Joshua 14 reveals that God never forgot His promise to Caleb. Caleb was just as strong and vigorous at 85 as he was 40 years earlier. God rejuvenated him, enabling him to win all God promised him, including Hebron which was to play great significance in coming days. The scriptures do not tell us how long Caleb lived, but he certainly lived many more years to enjoy his long-awaited inheritance on this earth.
Caleb won because he never wavered. He never let time, age, other men, or circumstances sway him from his trust in God.
Caleb’s faith inspires us all who wait for God’s seeming delays. We must never waver in our certainty that God is faithful to all He promises. To think otherwise is to slander God’s character and invite disobedience. God’s promises depend upon our trust in Him no matter what.
Lack of trust needlessly delays or even cancels the promise due to unbelief. Think of the Exodus generation, or King Saul who went his own way and lost a kingdom. Think of the people of Nazareth who viewed Jesus as only “the carpenter’s son,” not God’s Son. Think of Judas Iscariot who saw Jesus’ miracles and even worked miracles, yet betrayed Him.
God announces His intentions toward us with His promises, but He requires our faith in His integrity to follow through. Caleb’s experience reminds us that we must persevere and wait upon God no matter the seeming delay.
Caleb had a “different spirit,” even though his family were outsiders adopted into Israel. In Numbers 32:12, he is called a “Kenizzite.” According to some, he may have descended from Esau’s grandson, Kenaz. The name “Kaleb,” means “dog.” In the Semitic culture of that day, this name represents his father’s prayer that his son’s life will reveal a dog’s absolute loyalty faithfulness, endurance and integrity.
God’s grace toward Caleb is evident here as He adopts outsiders into His family and richly rewards them for their unshakable faith. Our background alone never excludes us.
Not always do families of spiritual heroes win God’s approval. Think of the sons of Aaron, Eli, Samuel, David who failed. Our bloodlines alone mean nothing. Our loyalty means everything.
Many more Calebs in India await adoption into God’s family. May we not let them down!
