THE TRUTH ABOUT CALEB'S STRENGTH (PART 2)
TOPIC:
"lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. 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." (Joshua chapter 14 verses 10 to 11, King James Version)
In part 1 to this series, we noted that Caleb's statement in the verse for the day was outstanding because at age 85, he testified that his strength at 40 years of age had not abated. We concluded that on the natural plane, this wasn't possible. We noted also that when Caleb made that statement, he wasn't actually talking about his natural strength, but the supernatural ability that resulted from God being with him.
But how come that it was only Caleb that experienced and even boasted about his unfailing strength? Firstly, let us note that amongst the spies, God had singled him out to have had another Spirit and to have followed Him wholeheartedly (Numbers chapter 14 verse 24 and Joshua chapter 14 verses 8, 9 and 14). It will interest you to know that between Caleb and Joshua, it was probably Caleb that was the first and the quicker one to give the good report concerning the espied land. Listen to God's testimony regarding him in Numbers chapter 14 verse 24:
"But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it." Here, God didn't even mention Joshua's name. In parliamentary parlance, it's like Joshua merely adopted or seconded Caleb's motion when he gave the good report of the land.
Secondly, I think that the knowledge of God served to differentiate him from the rest, in the same way as Peter’s knowledge of Christ made only him walk on water while the rest of the apostles remained in the boat, wondering. Everyone in that boat that night could have walked on water like Peter, the same way as every Israelite could have enjoyed and boasted about the supernatural strength that Caleb had. The problem was lack of faith, worsened by ignorance. It’s still so today. It's good to understand that your knowledge of the Lord will serve to increase your faith and to differentiate you from the rest.
It's important that I point out that supernatural encounters aren't for all. They are for whoever wills. For instance, there are lots who are unsaved today. It's not because God has not provided salvation. It's the same thing with the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said we shall receive Power after the Holy Spirit comes on us (Acts chapter 1 verse 8). God's anointing is copiously available to all in Christ, but only a few take advantage of it.
As Apostle Peter was the only one that walked on water, with the other 11 and probably more others remaining in the boat, so Caleb was probably the only one that took advantage of the supernatural strength available in the Lord. The Bible encourages us to take advantage of the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2nd Timothy chapter 2 verse 1).
Unfortunately, there has been a recurring apathy shown by men towards the things of God. Two people hear the same salvation message. One is saved and the other is not. I think that it generally boils down to interest.
In another case, there were ten virgins but only five took extra oil. The rest were careless about it and couldn't meet with the Bridegroom. The Bible calls them foolish virgins (Matthew chapter 25 verse 1 to 2) Of course, all of them were virgins but what differentiated them was the extra oil that the wise ones took with them.
We are counseled to take heed of how we hear. Seeds were in the hand of one sower. As he sowed, some fell by the wayside, others on the stony ground, others, among thorns, others still on the good soil (Matthew chapter 13 verses 3 to 8). Of course, we know that these different soils represent the different hearts of men. This shows that our responses to the things of God vary. It's interesting that God Himself knows this. In Malachi chapter 1 verse 2, He referred to Jacob and Esau, a set of twins, of the same parents. One He loved and the other, He hated. Why? Perhaps, because of their different life responses to God and the things of God.
What is your response to the things of God like? Do you take them seriously or not? Do you strive to know God better? Do you take steps to work out your salvation as we are enjoined in Philippians chapter 2 verse 12?
PRAYER:
Father, I thank You for putting me in Christ Jesus. Daily, I press forward to knowing Him and functioning in His strength and ability, in Jesus name.