Joshua 14:7 "I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought word back tohim as it was in my heart" NASB
Numbers 13:30 "Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, 'We should by all means go up and take possession ofit, for we shall surely overcome it.'" NASB
Life Application: Any vision is about more than you and me. It's always for the future growth of the Kingdom of God. If we follow the vision, (taking care of business), then we have the blessing of being used by God and have the abundant life we are promised.
Joshua 14:8 "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." NASB
Life Application: I have found myself saying I don't have time - or I can't do that - or someone else will step up and do it - I'm tired, etc. Caleb didn't do that. He followed the Lord fully, wholeheartedly. He walked the talk!
Joshua 14:9 "So Moses swore on that day, saying 'Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance to you and to your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God fully.'" NASB
Life Application: We need to stay focused to know and recognize the prompting of God's Holy Spirit in our life.
Joshua 14:10-12 "'And now behold, the Lord has let me live, just as He spoke, these forty-five years, from the time that the Lord spoke this word to Moses, when Israel walked in the wilderness; and now behold, I am eigthy-five years old today. I am still as strong today as I was in the day Moses sent me; as my strength was then, so my strength is now, for war and for going out and coming in. 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 shall drive them out as the Lord has spoken.'" NASB
Life Application: We must learn from this that patience, along with faith, is required; and the reason we must keep the focus and retain the vision. Caleb had to walk by faith and trust the Lord meant what He said.
Joshua 14:15 "Now the name of Hebron was formerly Kiriath-arba; for Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim. Then the lad had rest from war." NASB
Life Application: Visions come with a price as does any walk of faith. But the price is always well worth it. If you feel the nudge of God for something, such as praying with someone or a big commitment, do not hesitate! If God spoke to you, He will provide for you what is needed.
What will happen when God gives you a vision?
Where are you with Jesus Christ?
You probably have a church background and know the right answers. But it's the personal relationship (which includes talking with God) that will bring the blessings of being used in a vision to make a difference. Is God first in your life?
Will you be a player or a spectator?
Use Caleb as an example. For 45 years he kept focused on the vision - didn't waver. Even when it didn't seem clear, even though he wandered with the rest of the Israelites in the desert for 40 years and thousands of miles he didn't complain. He was 85 years old when he went into battle to take the land the Lord had promised.
How did Caleb know for sure he was the man called for the job?
If we look at 2 Peter 1:3-10 it tells us that His divine power has given us everything we need for life and Godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us. Through these, He has given us His very great and precious promises and visions, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world.
2 Peter 1:10-11 "Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you." NASB
In Acts 20:23 Paul tells us, he never knows what's going to happen in the cities he travels to, but the Holy Spirit warns him of hardships.
After Caleb's obedience, his walk with God, taking on the challenge, and leaning on faith he was then blessed with peace and so were his people. They were in the promised land that they had searched and wandered in the desert for. Now that's a description of an abundant life! Don't let anyone tell you one person can't make a difference. Often God uses one person, and usually that person would seem to be the most unlikely choice.
Created By Julie Robinson
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Monday, February 18, 2019