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GIVE ME THIS MOUNTAIN

Text: Joshua 14
21 January 2018

A LONG-LASTING FRIENDSHIP

One of the most stirring stories about friendship recorded in the Scriptures was between two people, Joshua and Caleb. Their friendship went way back. They served under Moses as soldiers. They were sent out with ten other young men to spy out the land of Canaan.

Ten of the spies were frightened by the people who lived in Canaan. There were giants, they said. The children of Israel were like grasshoppers in comparison.

Joshua and Caleb together urged the children of Israel to be brave and to trust God for victory. They failed to persuade Israel.

The children of Israel gave in to their fears and refused to enter into Canaan. Their punishment was that that generation of people who rebelled would trudge in the Wilderness for forty years.

Joshua and Caleb were the only two survivors of the children of Israel who trudged in the wilderness for forty years! When Joshua was dividing the land, he asked Caleb what portion of the land he would prefer. His reply was astonishing.

Here I am this day, eighty-five years old. 

As yet I am as strong this day

As on the day that Moses sent me;

Just as my strength was then, so now is

My strength for war, both for going out

And for coming in.

Now therefore, give me this mountain

Of which the LORD spoke in that day;

For you heard in that day how the Anakim were there,

And that the cities were fortified.                                

 It may be that the LORD will be with me,

And I shall be able to drive them out as the LORD had said.     Joshua 14:10-12

A STIRRING TESTIMONY

The following features stand out in Caleb’s testimony.

  1. Consciousness of his age

a) He was 85 years old!

  1. Clarity of Memory

a) 45 years ago, Moses had sent him out to serve as one of the spies

b) He was as strong now as when he was sent out when he was 40 years old

  1. Continued courageous reliance on the LORD

a) He was aware of the Anakim race in that part of the land of Canaan

b) The Anakim were renowned for their tall stature (giants)

c) He trusted in the Lord to help him conquer the enemies in their fortified cities

OUR CHALLENGE

What a wonderful example of faith in the Lord! Let us seek to follow the LORD wholly (Joshua 14:8, 9). Perhaps the Lord would grant us His grace to walk in faith even to the evening years of life!