Just the other day I was complaining to God, which is perfectly scriptural, by the way. Have you ever read Psalm 142:2 where David says, I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare my trouble before Him?
So there I was, complaining about how tired I was. I have all these heavenly ideas but little bandwidth of time and energy to complete them. Why didn’t He bless me with all of this creative anointing when I was younger, was my complaint. Then came silence…but, only for a few days.
My heavenly Father knew I was going to ask this question. That’s why He had prompted me a short time ago to start reading the book of Joshua. So, just as He would have it, I would come across this most fabulous passage in Joshua 14 that would serve as His equally fabulous answer to my complaint.
Let me share it with you…
“In Gilgal, the people of Judah approached Joshua. Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the Lord said to Moses, man of God, about you and me when we were in Kadesh-barnea.7 I was 40 years old when Moses the Lord’s servant sent me from Kadesh-barnea to scout out the land. I brought back a report to him of what I really thought. 8 My companions who had gone up with me made the people’s heart melt. But I remained loyal to the Lord my God. 9 So Moses pledged on that day, ‘The land on which you have walked will forever be a legacy for you and your children. This is because you remained loyal to the Lord my God.’ 10 Now look. The Lord has kept me alive, exactly as he promised. It is forty-five years since the Lord spoke about this to Moses. It was while Israel was journeying in the desert. Now look. Today I’m 85 years old. 11 I’m just as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out. My strength then was as my strength is now, whether for war or for everyday activities. 12 So now, give me this highland that the Lord promised me that day. True, the Anakim are there with large fortified cities, as you yourself heard that day. But if the Lord is with me, I should be able to remove them, exactly as the Lord promised.”
Oh, if I were only like Caleb, that I, too, could say….
- I believe God’s promises
- I will remain loyal to God in difficult times (Hmmm….I’m afraid complaining to God about God is not a desired trait of loyalty *Note to self.)
- I will maintain my strength in Christ,
- I stand ready to claim what God has promised me, AND
- I am just as able-bodied and eager to serve God today as I was when He [called me into his service at the age of 27.]
I love Caleb’s steadfastness and enthusiasm. Don’t’ you? Then why not pray these 5 proclamations over yourself whenever you grow tired and weary? I think I will.
What is even more fascinating about this account is that despite the fact that Caleb was always ready, he went through a long season of waiting and wandering for 40 years in the wilderness because of his companions’ lack of faith. Wow. That’s some real perseverance for ya.
This gem of a passage has really been an encouragement to me and I hope it will be to you, too. It has challenged me to regain my mojo, and I pray that I am equal to the task.
Now for the videos…
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