Be Bold In Prayer

We read in Judges 1:14-15, Acsah went to live with Othniel. Othniel told Acsah to ask her father for some land. She went to her father. When she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, "What is wrong?" Acsah answered him, "Give me a blessing. You gave me dry desert land in the Negev. Please give me some land with water on it." So Caleb gave her what she wanted. He gave her the upper and lower pools of water in that land. (ERV)

This same incident is also mentioned in Joshua 15:18-19, which implies that this was an important event. Acsah the daughter of Caleb asked her father to give her some land that had water in it as the land that was allotted to her was a dry desert land.

Let me give you a little background to this incident. Though Caleb was born in the land of Egypt as a slave, and was brought up in slavery, he had an unshakeable faith in God. At forty years of age when Caleb was sent to spy on the land of Canaan, of the twelve who returned after spying on the land, Caleb was the only one along with Joshua who was certain that the land could be conquered. The entire congregation of over six lakh people rose against Caleb’s advice, but nothing deterred him.

As children of God be sure that when we take a stand to speak up for the Lord, there will be a group that will rise against us. The reason is that there are those who have no faith in God.

We read in Deuteronomy 31:6,“Be strong and be brave. Don't be afraid of those people because the LORD your God is with you. He will not fail you or leave you.” (ERV)

Caleb held on firmly to the promises of God, took a stand against the majority, and God was pleased with him.

Anyone who is zealous for the Lord, and willing to take a stand for Him can be sure that the Lord’s protection will be their portion.

For forty long years the people of Israel wandered through the wilderness. These were difficult times, where the people faced many hardships and trials, but through it all Caleb remained firm in his faith. He knew that the Lord who promised him that he would enter the Promised Land was faithful, and would certainly fulfill His promise at the right time.

The bible also talks about Abraham who was another man of great faith. This is what is written as a testimony about Abraham in Romans 4:21, “He was absolutely sure that God would be able to do what he had promised.” (GNB)

Oftentimes, we get discouraged because of the problems that surround us, but let me assure you that God is above all of our circumstances, and faithful to His word. Everyone who has waited on the Lord has certainly seen God fulfill the same in His appointed time.

Caleb entered the Promised Land just as God had promised. However, Caleb did not seek to procure the land that was easy to conquer, but asked Joshua to grant him permission to possess the hill country of Hebron which was difficult to acquire because of the giants who inhabited them. Caleb was bold to believe that he had the strength to conquer the hill country though he was eighty five years old. This was the land that Caleb had set eyes on forty five years ago. It was the unbelief of the people, and the circumstances that surrounded him that prevented him from inheriting the land, but Caleb had faith to believe that he would certainly conquer this land with God’s strength.

Those who have faith will remain strong through all the tough circumstances of life. Let me remind you of the words of the Apostle Paul as we read in Philippians 4:13,“Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.” (ERV)

So many have become discouraged, and given up on the task that is entrusted to them. Believe that with God’s strength that is granted to you that you will be able to accomplish all that God desires to fulfill through your life and don’t give up at any cost.

Caleb had a daughter whose name was Acsah. When it was time for Caleb to get his daughter married, he could have easily found a suitable person for her without much effort. Nonetheless, Caleb wanted to choose a suitable groom for his daughter who would have the same faith and courage that he had. Caleb therefore set a challenge that the man who was brave enough to conquer KiriathSepher would be the one who could take his daughter’s hand in marriage. Othniel was the brave man who conquered KiriathSepher, and married Caleb’s daughter Acsah.