It's Not Too Late: "Give Me This Mountain!"

Wednesday, March 23, 2011 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

Joshua  14:10 And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the LORD spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. 11 As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, 12 Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the LORD spoke in that day;

One of the greatest trials in life is waiting for a promise. It's one thing to be forced to wait because of circumstances or choices that you have made for yourself. It's a whole other thing to be forced to wait because of the choices of others.

This is where we find Caleb some 45 years after he and Joshua were on the brink of entering into their Promised Land. 45 years earlier Caleb, Joshua and 10 other spies (more of an "exploratory group") went to view the Promised Land. Because of the negative and faithless report brought back by the 10 other spies, both Joshua and Caleb were forced to miss out on the greatest opportunity of their lives.

In this text, after 45 years of waiting, we find Caleb still encouraged, still expecting, still vibrant in his faith even at the age of 85-years-old. You have to love this statement, “I am as strong today as on the day that Moses sent me.” The obvious fact is that an 85-year-old man is not a strong as a 40-year-old man. However, Caleb believed he was still strong, and that's all that matters! That's the power of faith and encouragement.

The most remarkable statement in this text is one we should keep in our hearts and minds. It is a statement of enduring hope and high expectations. It is a statement of extraordinary confidence in Almighty God. That statement is:

“Give me this mountain!”

If Caleb could hold onto his faith for 45 years and still be in love with God and His purposes, so can you!