Have you ever been fully devoted to a task? There is a feeling of exhilaration and abandonment that comes when you’re all in. You become intensely focused in your passionate pursuit of the objective. The Old Testament describes an individual named Caleb who demonstrated a wholehearted devotion to God. We’re introduced to Caleb in the book of Numbers as he was one of the spies who was selected to go on a reconnaissance mission into the promised land. Although there were significant challenges, Caleb’s faith in the promises of God was greater than his fear of the challenges in the land,

Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it. (Numbers 13:30)

Unfortunately, ten of the twelve spies persuaded the people not to go into the promised land and they allowed their fear of the challenges to eclipse the promises of God. Forty years later the Israelites entered the land under the capable leadership of Joshua. Caleb recounts that incident of Israel’s failure to enter the land, as he reflected upon his commitment to God,

Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt with fear; but I followed the LORD my God fully. So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden will be an inheritance to you and to your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God fully.’ (Joshua 14:8-9)

Caleb is now eighty-five years old and he asks Joshua to give him the hill country, that’s the difficult territory where the Anakim (giants) were located,

Now then, give me this hill country about which the LORD spoke on that day, for you heard on that day that Anakim were there, with great fortified cities; perhaps the LORD will be with me, and I will drive them out as the LORD has spoken. (Joshua 14:12)

Caleb’s wholehearted devotion to God enabled him to rest in God’s promises rather than be overwhelmed by the challenges. Many people his age would be looking for a rocking chair, but Caleb was ready for a new challenge. He was still strong and ready to fulfill the promises of God. So Joshua blessed him and let Caleb take the mountain,

Therefore, Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite until this day, because he followed the LORD God of Israel fully.  (Joshua 14:14)

Caleb is an amazing example of a man who followed God with his whole heart. God has called us to get into game, not to keep the score. He was not intimidated by the challenges because he knew that God was greater than any enemy he would face. Caleb was the type of person who believed the only difference between the possible and the impossible is that the impossible takes a little longer. What are some giants you’re facing? Step out in the spirit of Caleb trusting God to lead, guide, and direct you.

May this admonition encourage your heart, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream.”

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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