Joshua chapter 14 verses 10-12 (NIV)
“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! I 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. 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.”
Caleb was eighty-five years old at this point. He had served the Lord wholeheartedly for forty-five years. In all of that time he had waited faithfully for what God had promised him. There were no qualms about his advancing age. He didn’t even expect an easy battle to compensate for his age. He completely trusted that God would be with him and the inhabitants of the land therefore held no fear for him. What an incredible testimony of faith!
I may not be as old as Caleb, but I have been a Christian now for forty- five years. I don’t think I have been as steadfast in my trusting God as Caleb, but the good thing is, God isn’t finished with me yet. I may have retired from my “day job” but I haven’t retired from the work that God has for me to do, and He will give me all that I need to do it.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the encouragement of Caleb’s testimony. Help me to follow his example. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.