But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.
Numbers 14:24
I love the story of Caleb in the bible. So much so I named my firstborn after this amazing man. I can only pray that my sweet boy will grow to be full of the same faith that Caleb had in the Bible. You see Caleb means faithful and in the story of Caleb he truly shows himself to be "faith-full" when everyone else's faith around him was empty.
He was one of the twelve to investigate the promised land that God had set aside for them. Out of the twelve only Caleb and Joshua came back with a "faith-full" report. The others did indeed confirm the land was beautiful, flowing with milk and honey and had so much potential. The problem was that there was giants living in the land and they thought there was no way they could be overtaken. This was the land they traveled 40 years in the desert for! Time after time God proved his faithfulness and even his very existence to them...raining manna down from heaven, being a pillar of fire by night, having water poured out of a rock and many other miracles.
The people of Israel immediately dismissed the two good reports and dwelled on the bad ones. Here is an excerpt of Caleb's report to the people:
"If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us...And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us" Numbers 14: 8-9.
Caleb notes that the giants who were living in the promised land had no protection, saying God was with them! This news should have made them rejoice! Instead they looked only at their own natural abilities, instead of at the supernatural ability that was with them as God's chosen people!
I encourage you to enter 2015 with the faith and boldness of Caleb. Do not look at your own natural abilities and resources. Do not see your promised land as unattainable. Instead look to the supernatural ability that is within YOU...the Holy Spirit! The God of Angel Armies is with you, whatever obstacle you may be facing in this new year. Maybe its a emotional or physical, maybe even a financial obstacle. Perhaps its a goal you are aspiring to, whether it may be a trip you are wanting to take, a job to accept, a move to make, a book to write, a weight to achieve. Don't enter the year looking at all the odds stacked against you. Know that with each and every day and each and every step you need to take... you are not alone! Caleb tells the people, "Do not be afraid"!
The Lord says in this same chapter, in verse 24, "But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it."
So come on let's jump start this new year with a different spirit. Let's go into the land God has promised us! Enter this next year "faith-full" and expectant for what God wants to do for you and through you!
"Shoulders" by For King & Country
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