Wholly Followed the Lord

Josh. 14:13-14

Then Joshua blessed him, and he gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance. Therefore Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the Lord, the God of Israel.

Forty-five years earlier Moses had promised this land to Caleb because of his heart for God. He, with other men, had gone in to spy out the promised land. Most of the spies reported that the land was impossible to conquer because of the giants who lived there, but Caleb (and Joshua) knew that if the Lord was with them, it was possible! Since he still believed the same thing, he asked for the hill country that had been promised to him, the very country where the giants lived. He told Joshua that if God was with him, he could certainly drive them out.  Amazingly his strength was still the same as it was 45 years earlier. How could that be? Was it somehow related to his deep trust and faith in the power of God? What a reputation Caleb had! Just think to be known as a man who wholly followed God! How was it evidenced? First, he had no fear (of giants or of the fight), complete trust in God (unwavering in the face of huge obstacles), patience ( 45 year wait), boldness (asked confidently for what was promised), strength (beyond human norms), commitment ( wholly followed), singular in focus (only God) , and vision (saw the blessing in an obstacle).

Father,

Help me to wholly follow You. Teach me and shape me to be Your servant willing to go anywhere and do whatever You call me to do.

In Jesus name,

Amen