7 Minute Read + Scripture readings
Today’s Bible Reading:
Joshua 14-15
Psalms 146-147
Jeremiah 7
Matthew 21
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Joshua 14:12 (CSB): “Now give me this hill country the Lord promised me on that day, because you heard then that the Anakim are there, as well as large fortified cities. Perhaps the Lord will be with me and I will drive them out as the Lord promised.”
Joshua 15:14 (CSB): “Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak: Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, descendants of Anak.”
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
If you read Numbers 13, you’ll observe the account of when Moses (at God’s command) sent 12 men to scout out the land of Canaan. It was intended for those men to return, give an account of what they saw, and then for Moses to lead the nation of Israel to victory.
But, that’s not what happened. Instead, those 12 spies came back and 10 of them gave such a disheartening report that they discouraged the people. Just listen to a small part of their report to the nation of Israel.
Numbers 13:28 (CSB): “However, the people living in the land are strong, and the cities are large and fortified. We also saw the descendants of Anak there.”
Did you notice that? It was “the descendents of Anak” that really scared those 10 spies. It was “the descendents of Anak” that caused the Israelites to elevate their fear and erase their faith in God. “The descendants of Anak.”
Now, go back and look at the verses that I have chosen for today. In Joshua 14, what particular group of people did Caleb say he wanted to conquer at the age of 85? The “Anakim” (descendents of Anak). In Joshua 15, what people did Caleb conquer? “The descendents of Anak.”
So, what was an 85-year-old Caleb doing when he specifically asked to inherit the land that the descendents of Anak still claimed as their own? He was essentially saying:
“God could have given the Promised Land to us 45 years ago, Joshua! But our people balked. We believed our eyes and not our God. The descendents of Anak seemed more powerful and formidable than our faith in Almighty God. Well, Joshua, as you know, you and I were the only two spies who believed God could do it, that He would give us the Promised Land. Joshua, God hasn’t changed. Even though I’m 45 years older, I still believe God’s promise that He has given us the Promised Land. So, give me the land of the Anakim so that an 85-year-old can demonstrate that God’s promises never depended upon us and our strength. It depended solely upon Him and His faithfulness to His Word.”
Friend, there is a powerful lesson in that story. It is a call to faith. It is a call to trust in God even when things don’t make sense to us.
Strive to have the faith of Caleb. Faithless men don’t demonstrate God’s power and glory. It is men like Caleb, even though he was a very old man, that illustrate to a watching world that our God can use anyone He desires to accomplish God-sized tasks if they will only trust Him.
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Lord Jesus, I am reminded in Your Word how You say that it is impossible to please You without faith (Hebrews 11:6). So many so-called Christians say they trust You but they never demonstrate that they are willing to step out into the unknown when You call them to do so. They walk by sight, not by faith. The result? They rob You of glory. Help me to have the faith of Caleb. I want to show those who are watching that I really do trust You – and that You are worthy of my trust. Amen.
Matt’s Musings 