The Mind of Mature Persistence part 2
May we never lose the passion and adventure of our relationship with God and Christ in every challenge we face.
And if that passion fades may it be rekindled by His tenacious love.
And if that adventure becomes small, may we experience the bigness of His trustworthiness.
Amen.
#243 The Mind of Mature Persistence Joshua 14.12
In the midst of the land being divided by lot, Caleb approaches Joshua. He reviews the history when he was forty years old and Moses sent he and Joshua to explore the land. “And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.” Joshua 14:7-8 He then reminds Joshua of the promise that Moses made to him regarding his inheritance in the land, and he claims that promise.
“Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.”
“Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.” Joshua 14:10-12
He was eighty-five! He was as strong and full of life and determination as he was at forty-five! This reminds me of the example of our precious older brethren, many of whom have finished their course. At fifty-seven I admit that I do not match this spiritual example, but I pray for renewal my mind.
At eighty five Caleb actually asked for the hill country, a strong hold of the enemy!
In their ‘youth’ Caleb and Joshua saw the same scenario as the 10 spies. They saw the same scenario through different eyes. “And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.” Joshua 14:7-8 The other spies gave their report through the eyes of fear. But Caleb’s report was given through his conviction of faith. He saw the strength of the enemy in the context of the strength of God. The other spies hearts were filled with fear. Caleb’s (and Joshua’s) heart was wholly filled with God. And that preserved the passion of youth for God even in the older years.
The key to Caleb’s mind of mature persistence is his persistent love and trust in the LORD.
And if that passion fades may it be rekindled by His tenacious love.
And if that adventure becomes small, may we experience the bigness of His trustworthiness.
Amen.
#243 The Mind of Mature Persistence Joshua 14.12
In the midst of the land being divided by lot, Caleb approaches Joshua. He reviews the history when he was forty years old and Moses sent he and Joshua to explore the land. “And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.” Joshua 14:7-8 He then reminds Joshua of the promise that Moses made to him regarding his inheritance in the land, and he claims that promise.
“Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.”
“Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.” Joshua 14:10-12
He was eighty-five! He was as strong and full of life and determination as he was at forty-five! This reminds me of the example of our precious older brethren, many of whom have finished their course. At fifty-seven I admit that I do not match this spiritual example, but I pray for renewal my mind.
At eighty five Caleb actually asked for the hill country, a strong hold of the enemy!
In their ‘youth’ Caleb and Joshua saw the same scenario as the 10 spies. They saw the same scenario through different eyes. “And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.” Joshua 14:7-8 The other spies gave their report through the eyes of fear. But Caleb’s report was given through his conviction of faith. He saw the strength of the enemy in the context of the strength of God. The other spies hearts were filled with fear. Caleb’s (and Joshua’s) heart was wholly filled with God. And that preserved the passion of youth for God even in the older years.
The key to Caleb’s mind of mature persistence is his persistent love and trust in the LORD.
