I Want That Mountain

He had learned a lot. One thing about his wisdom that we need to learn from Caleb- that I’m having to learn more and more like Caleb:

II. Before you climb a mountain be sure that you will choose the one you are willing to die on. (V.12)

Caleb learned that there was one mountain worth dying on- Hebron- the one he would stay on and live out the rest of his days there. What I find interesting about Caleb was his commitment to the truth in verse 8 Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt, but I wholly followed the LORD my God. In other words, the other spies incited fear in the hearts of the people of Israel. Their words were heard above the mouths of Caleb and Joshua who were crying out- yes its true there are giants in the land, but we can take them on! Fighting them will only make us stronger! They would not listen to them. Disappointed, they followed Israel to wonder for 40 more years. They did not carry the day, but they did not insist on their way. Love is like that. 1 Corinthians 13:5 Love It is not rude, it is not self-seeking.” Notice Caleb did not seem bitter about it- he knew that God would allow him to have it, eventually. "No man who puts hand first to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God!"

Ever notice that when we are young we think that everything is essential, everything is important, everything is such a big deal! We know the cost of everything and the value of nothing! We think we know all the answers. We’re more judgmental, more critical of others, have less patience with people. But as you observe older people- most of them, anyway- the things that used to upset them doesn’t tend to upset them anymore. The things that used to embarrass me or hurt my feelings or make me upset 20 years ago don’t seem to affect me that way. Less trivial things don’t matter, which helps me to give greater focus to the things that really do matter. How do we get that way? By growing in grace. 2 Peter 3:18 “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” The more you are growing in Jesus, the more your eyes are opened to the things that are really important, what really matters. Some one once said that “not many mountains are worth fussing over, few mountains are worth fighting over, and even fewer mountains are worth dying on.”

The mountain Caleb chose to die on was Hebron. Caleb might have postponed his dream of a mountain, but that did not mean he brushed it off, either. Look at the commitment he had in getting it. The Hebrew Hebron means the “friend of God.” It was the same mountain where Abraham buried Sarah when she died, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are also buried there. Caleb himself wanted to be buried there. It was truly the mountain Caleb chose to die on. There are some things that are worth dying for- essentials. Essentials for life, essentials for faith. But not everything is essential when it comes to getting along with people. I heard two deacons engaged in a heated discussion, going at it over the sound system like two grumpy old men do. Roy (not his real name) was a retired cameraman from NBC Nightly news, so when it came to electronic equipment, he knew his stuff. John, on the other hand, was a musician, and knew the kind of volume he wanted. Roy asked, “John why is it you insist on doing things your way all the time?” John said, Roy I don’t insist I do it my way. If you want to do it your way, go ahead. You do it your way, and I’ll do it God’s way!” Paul said in I Corinthians 15:31- I die daily! He died to himself, his ambitions, the things he had planned and hoped for- many times he had seen the stuff he had sweated and fretted over come to naught. In Hebrews 11th chapter we read: 3 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.-- 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. That better place, the place that Caleb found, was that spot God had prepared for him. How blessed he was that he had lived to see it when so many did not get to. Caleb found his mountain, and it was worth it. You see, Caleb already knew the promise God had given him years before: v.9 ’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. You put your best efforts into the things that really matter.