The spirit of Caleb

Ever read the story of Caleb in the Bible? If he was alive today there’s a good chance he’d qualify for ‘Person of the Year’, someone who has done the most to influence circumstances for the better. Here’s his story in his own words: ‘I was forty years old when Moses…sent me…to explore the land…I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed…God wholeheartedly…that day Moses swore to me, “The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance”…So here I am today, eighty-five years old…as strong…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…Then Joshua blessed Caleb… and gave him Hebron as his inheritance…because he followed the Lord…wholeheartedly’ (Joshua 14:7-14 NIV). We can learn a lot of valuable lessons from Caleb. He had ‘a different spirit’ from those around him. He was a positive, optimistic kind of person. He believed that with God’s help every giant that stands in our way can be conquered, even when others say they can’t. He had a vision that he stuck to, even when he grew older and had to face tough circumstances. He was willing to wait and work for it even though it took 45 years to fulfil. He remained totally committed to God. So let’s ask God to give us the spirit of Caleb.