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Print The conversation could have gone something like this (assuming they were Southerners): Caleb: That’s the mountain that Moses promised to me and my kin. It looks mighty nice. I’m planning on building a cabin on the side of that hill over yonder. There’s lots of shade and a nice view of the valley below. Probably plant some corn and okra out back, raise a few sheep in that pasture. I do love lamb chops. Joshua: I hear there’s giants in them there hills. They’ve got castles just over that ridge. Caleb: Giants! I’m looking to settle down after all those years of traipsing around the desert with these heatherns. I’ve heared them giants are right unfriendly and make mighty poor neighbors. Do you have a nice little plot over on the plains of Jordan that I could have instead? I’m ready to settle down. Joshua: Sure, Caleb. We can work that out. Instead the Bible records these words of Caleb: “As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.” (Joshua 14:11-12) Caleb understood what many of us today do not—there are giants on the mountain. In other words, the promises of God are true and they are ours for the claiming, but it will take some effort on our part. Many times we want to achieve what God has promised, whether it be a new area of ministry, a better job, or simply a closer relationship with Christ. These things are all within our reach, for we serve a powerful and faithful God. He is true to His Word. What we must comprehend, however, is that we must defeat the enemy before we can build our dream cabin. Had Caleb simply begun building his house and planting his crops, he would soon have faced constant raids from the giants and his efforts would have been in vain. The Bible tells us, “Caleb drove out the three Anakites--Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai--descendants of Anak” (Joshua 15:13, NLT). It was only at that point that he began his occupation and possession of God’s promise. We don’t have physical enemies to face today, but we’re only kidding ourselves if we believe that blessings come without sacrifice. If you want to be a powerful soul-winner, you may have to endure embarrassing rejections. If you want to preach mightily before huge crowds, you may be required to conquer your pride by first cleaning toilets and mowing the church yard. Often times the successful business owner has to stick it out through lean years when the account books are in the red. I can speak from personal experience, as I have heard God promise me bigger and better things (i.e. the mountain). It sounded great at the moment, and I was excited to think of the great things I could and would do for God. Then reality set in—there were giants on that mountain. God-given talents will only take you so far, and then you have to make an extra commitment to truly find success. That ministry required additional study and prayer, and I was going to have to do some fasting to get the job done. At times I’ve been guilty of settling for a shack on the plains, when God had a beautiful home site picked out for me on the mountain. Those who have been serving God for many years may be weary from a wilderness experience when things did not go as planned. Don’t despair. An 85-year-old man named Caleb led his younger followers to conquer three giant leaders and carve out his home in the Promised Land. The mountain’s waiting for you—don’t let the giants deter you.
ninetyandnine.com © 2005, Josh Lewis ---------- Josh Lewis is a copy editor for 90&9 and proud dad to a six-month-old son. |
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