Scripture
10“Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! 11I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. 12 Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”13Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. Joshua 14:10-14
Observation
40 years earlier Joshua and Caleb were the only ones who had brought back a good report on the Promised Land. The other 10 spies complained about the giants. The Israelites had to wander for another 40 years until the generation that doubted God’s provision had passed away. Now, at age 85 Caleb was ready to take a fight, 45 years in the making, to the giants front door. After 45 years of waiting he was still ready for battle. Instead of his faith growing cold and his body growing old Caleb grew bold and determined to hold to the Promises of God yet to come to pass. Instead of living in bitter frustration over the failure of his friends Caleb focused on the future. His consistent faith and health were directly linked to his eternal hope. As far as Caleb was concerned the shelf-life on a God-promise was only limited by the faith life of the God follower. God’s promises are eternal but they usually aren’t instantaneous. We must fight in faith agreement with the Father to see them come to pass. Nothing will steal our faith faster than a posture of impatience.
Application
Today, at exactly 4:30 p.m. (not sure the significance of that time) the island of O’ahu went on mandatory lockdown. This is order asks all residents to stay home/work from home unless absolutely necessary to leave for health, food, exercise or “essential jobs”. How long will this last? I don’t know. Everyone is ambiguous because there’s really no way to know exactly how long this is going to take. They are planning to April 30th, but the lockdown may last into May depending on the increase of Covid-19 cases in the state. I don’t like waiting. I don’t like wondering. I don’t like wandering. How was Caleb able to keep his focus on the right fight for over 40 years? This is important to discover because if I don’t keep my focus on the right fight I’ll end up fighting with those who are stuck in my house with me and that’s the last thing I want to do. Unlike Caleb’s situation, it’s not my family's fault that we are in this situation. How did Caleb not just survive, but thrive in lockdown? He looked up! Notice what he says to Joshua when he asks for permission to get back in the fight, “I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly. 9So on that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever because you have followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.’ Twice he describes his pursuit of the Lord as wholehearted. Nothing can lockdown the heart like hope deferred. Yet, every single day Caleb held on to the present-tense presence of God. He knew the God who made the promise would bring it to pass. He knew those giants who were stomping all over his ground were living on borrowed time. Every year that passed was one year closer to seeing this promise fulfilled. Impatience grows out of improper focus. If I focus on all that I cannot do during lockdown I will have a divided heart. If I look up during lockdown my heart can focus on the promises that have yet to come to pass. That means there’s life on the other side of this virus mess. This is what will keep my heart whole for the Lord. It feels like this lockdown is going to last forever, but it’s actually quite temporary. This time at home is a chance to hone my skills in writing, praying, parenting, and connecting in new ways. So, when we get to the other side of this, our family will be ready to take down some giants. I’m stuck at home but there are some giants stomping around on my promises that are living on borrowed time.
Prayer
Lord, forgive me for my impatience and pride. Forgive me for focusing on what I can’t do instead of focusing on what You’ve called me to. There are promises that have yet to come to pass and this Covid-19 isn’t going to steal away what my Covenant God has promised me. Just like that double rainbow this morning reminded me that You are covering me in Your covenant promise, I know that You are in control. I set my heart to a wholehearted pursuit of You. Every day during this lockdown I’m choosing to look up. I’m allowing this lockdown to make me slow down and wait on You. Let my focus on You strengthen my faith in You and keep my fight in the right place!
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