Still Going Strong
Today’s Verse:
As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. ~Joshua 14:11
Caleb was an amazing man. At eighty-five years of age, he told Joshua, “I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me. As my strength was then, even so is my strength now.” The typical conversations of men who live to be octogenarians is, “When I was younger, I was stronger and faster.” Truthfully, for most people, after they turn a certain age, they find that they slow down incredibly, and do not have the same energy and strength as they did when they were younger. Sadly, this is the tale of Christians as they continue the walk of faith. They find themselves doing less, having less desire, and becoming weaker where once they were strong. Let us be encouraged by Caleb’s life, and see the secret to keep going strong.
We see Caleb and his obedience.
“Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the Lord my God.” Caleb lived his life by a mandate: he wholly followed the Lord. “Wholly” means without second thoughts, hesitancy, or reservations. He kept the Lord’s commands. He remained committed to the Lord’s work. He remained loyal to Joshua and his fellow Israelites. He lived by the motto, “We must obey God rather than man.” He did not let the majority’s opinion influence him. If we want to keep going strong as we get older, we must not let up on obeying the Lord. Obedience is necessary for us to be capable. Obedience is necessary for us to be contented. Obedience is necessary for us to be consecrated.
We see Caleb and his outlook.
“And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children’s for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the Lord my God. And now, behold, the Lord hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the Lord spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.” For forty-five years, Caleb was focused on the vision that Moses gave him for his inheritance in the land of promise. In spite of the setbacks, defeats, and heartaches, his vision and outlook were undiminished. He kept himself spiritually and physically for the day that the promise would materialize. Vision gives us vitality. Vision gives us drive. Vision gives us momentum. Vision is the big picture in front of us. He did not allow time and age to keep him from the goal. Believe that God will enable you to fulfill His vision for your life. Build on your most holy faith, and determine that God will give you your mountain!
We see Caleb and his opportunity.
“Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said.” As they approached Hebron, Caleb could not contain himself. He kept himself fit for this opportunity. He was not going to allow his age, the giants in the land, more battles to be foug ht, or uncertainties to stop him. The opportunity that he had been waiting for was in front of him. Opportunity is the open door to new beginnings, new possibilities, and more to acquire. It demands that we are at our best when it comes knocking. Caleb was aggressively and boldly asking for the mountains of Hebron. He kept going strong because he lived for the day of opportunity.
Just like Caleb, we can keep going strong as we get older.
Have a strengthened God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Samuel 21-24