Be A Visionary

We will turn our attention to Numbers 14:24, “But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.” (ESV)

The focus of this message is based on the above mentioned verse. There are three things that God Almighty testified about Caleb. Firstly, the fact that Caleb had a different spirit, one that was not common among all the other people who lived in his time. Secondly, Caleb followed God with wholehearted commitment, which also made him exceptional and distinct from everyone else. Thirdly, the Lord also promised that the descendants of Caleb would certainly possess the Promised Land because of his faithfulness.

The one point that I wish to spotlight is the fact that Caleb was a visionary with a long term vision in mind. For forty five long years Caleb waited for the promise to be fulfilled because his faith on God and His word. Caleb had the long term vision which was based on His knowledge of who God was, and that God’s word would never fail. Though circumstances changed constantly, Caleb had his eyes fixed firmly on the Lord and His word which He had promised.

Men with a vision

Jacob’s son Joseph too was a visionary which was why when many things went wrong in those thirteen long years as a young man in Egypt, Joseph could hold on and progressed in his life.

When Jesus came down to the earth, He knew the purpose that He had to fulfill. Jesus ministered for three and a half years, but prior to that there were thirty long years of preparation. There were many changing circumstances, but through it all Jesus was focused to lay down His life for the salvation of all mankind, so that they can be set free from the bondage to sin, and the clutches of the evil one.

Paul too was a visionary. He was wealthy, educated, had a good status in society. However, when Jesus met Paul on the road to Damascus, there was a tremendous change in Paul’s life. After that encounter Paul decided to discard everything that he held in high esteem before he met Jesus. Paul decided to run with perseverance the race God set for him, so he could attain the goal that was set before him. Bible scholars assert that Paul established fourteen churches. Of the twenty seven books that are found in the New Testament, Paul has written thirteen of them.

Caleb takes up a challenge

Let me place before you the words of Caleb at eighty five years of age to Joshua.

We read in Joshua 14:12,“So now give me this hill country of which the LORD spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the LORD said.” (ESV)

For anyone who like Caleb is a visionary, age is not an issue, circumstances or troubles don’t deter them, for their focus is to run the race that God has set for them. Caleb didn’t ask Joshua to possess the regions that were easy to capture, but for the hill country which had the Anaks who were the giants, and with cities that were fortified.

A visionary will always be distinct from others, and this difference comes because of the vision that they have received from God. They will move forward with zeal in that path to fulfill this vision, and will shun everything else that comes in the way as a hindrance.

Remember that a visionary must always associate with others who are visionaries too. Only then the purpose of our lives will be fulfilled. There are many who have a high calling from God who have neglected that because they have for some reason associated with those who have no vision.

Nehemiah was a visionary

Nehemiah was a man with such a long-term vision was in the palace in Persia. As Nehemiah stayed in the comforts of the palace he suddenly heard the news that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down, and the people were living in fear. God placed a burden on Nehemiah’s heart that made him pray, fast and seek God for His guidance. Also, Nehemiah undertook a long, and arduous journey to reach Jerusalem which was about 1400 kilometers. This journey lasted for about four long months.

A visionary will be ready to overcome any hurdles to see their vision accomplished.

Nehemiah did not get discouraged

When Nehemiah reached Jerusalem the ones who were supposed to help him, were the very ones who opposed him, and stood against him.

We read about his response in Nehemiah 2:20,“Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.”” (ESV)