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)
The ones who have a vision will always seek for help from God alone. Nehemiah confirmed that the work that he had come to do, he would accomplish with the help of those men who believed in his vision. He also let those who opposed him know that that they would sadly have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem when the work was completed. Even today we speak about and celebrate Nehemiah because he was a man of vision. Though there were so many obstacles to prevent him from fulfilling his purpose, he let nothing hinder him.
When we have a vision we too will encounter many difficulties, but when we pursue with that vision God will bring alongside the right people, and also take care of all the needs. God will unite like-minded people because the person with a vision is moving forward not for their personal gains, but for the Kingdom of God.
We read in Nehemiah 6:1-2, “Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm.” (ESV)
All these men should have rejoiced to hear that the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt, because it meant the city, and the people would be safe. Instead, these men opposed Nehemiah, and became his enemies because they did not get the prominence. The work was almost over there was an invitation to Nehemiah from Sanballat and Geshem, the very men who were hostile to this plan. Though these men sent an invitation for what seemed a peace talk, they had evil intentions in their heart to harm Nehemiah. When we read about the wonderful God provided people, materials, and all that Nehemiah needed to rebuild the wall, we realize that it was only the hand of God.
Remember that there will be some who will come to meet with you just to spoil your plans, and thwart your vision. The one who called us is faithful, and no matter what the hindrances may be, God will be with us to fulfill the vision that He has given to us. Whatever be the task that God has entrusted to us to accomplish, believe that He will remain with us until it is done. We have an amazing God who will remain faithful to the promises that He has made to us. He is the only God who is there to help us to accomplish the task that we have begun. Don’t give up the heavenly calling, and the vision that God has given to you.
Nehemiah was focused
This was Nehemiah’s reply to the men who invited him as found in Nehemiah 6:3-4, And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner. (ESV)
Nehemiah knew that the work that he was involved in was a great one, and he did not allow himself to be distracted from the vision by the invitation of the men who with wrong intent wanted to speak to him. We see that Nehemiah was firmly focused on the task at hand, and did not want to engage in unnecessary conversations with those men who he knew had evil motives, though they pressured him to come four times. This is so much in contrast to Balaam who changed his mind the second time the king sent word to him to come and curse the Israelites.
A person with a vision knows the kind of work that is entrusted to him. If we want to achieve the goal and progress with the vision that we have received from the Lord, it is absolutely necessary that we don’t deviate from that path, no matter what the allurements are.
Another thing can also happen is that people without a vision will join with those with a vision.The thing is they cannot last for long, and will discontinue their journey midway. This is what the bible says about what will happen in the last days.
We read in 1John 2:19,“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.”(ESV)
In other words these are those who have no long term vision who joined in with us, but as years rolled by, they parted ways because they were not really with us.
A good example that came to my mind was about Abram and Lot. Both of them came from the same place and commenced their journey together, were of the same family. However, Lot had no long term vision, and hence got deviated from the goal.
Let’s bear in mind that a visionary cannot for long with a person who has a short-sighted vision for their journey will surely get disrupted midway.
Caleb’s vision for his daughter
Caleb had a daughter whose name was Achsah, and Caleb could have found a suitable groom for his daughter according to his own traditions. However, Caleb was a man with a different spirit, and he did something quite untraditional for his daughter.
This is what Caleb said in Joshua 15:16,And Caleb said, “Whoever strikes Kiriath-sepher and captures it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter as wife.” (ESV)
A visionary will have a vision not only for his ministry and work, but also for his family. He will make sure that the ones who are added to his family are those with the same vision. Caleb wished that the man who would marry his daughter should be someone with a heart and vision just like his.
Sadly, many who have a vision have lost this in their choice of a spouse for marriage. Often the choices are worldly, and hence they have swerved from the call that God had for their lives.
Solomon’s wrong choices
One example from the bible is of King Solomon, who the bible says was the wisest there ever was. Solomon had a great beginning, and built the glorious temple in Jerusalem.
However we read in 1Kings 11:4,“For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.”(ESV)
We can be sure that a visionary will make sure that they partner with those who share their vision be it in friendships or marriage.
Caleb’s vision for his daughter
At eighty five years of age Caleb had conquered the hill country of Hebron, and he could have easily conquered Kiriath-sepher too. Nonetheless, Caleb threw open a challenge that the man who was brave enough to conquer Kiriath-sepher would be the one who would be worthy to marry his daughter Achsah.
These days when it comes to marriage there are so many demands pertaining to age, beauty, caste, education, wealth etc., so most of the alliances are based on worldly standards. Parents too have these expectations for their children. Remember that though Solomon was a wise man, at the end of his life he was led astray because of his wrong choice in the wives he chose. Let us ask God for wisdom to make the right decisions in all of life’s important choices.
The Lord desires that we hold firm, and stay focused on the right path so that we can fulfill the vision that God has given to us.
Paul held on to his vision
Let me conclude with the words of Paul to King Agrippa as found in Act 26:19"Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, (LEB)
All of Paul’s life he accomplished so much for the Lord, and cast aside many things that he held dear. There was only one thing that Paul had set before him and that was to fulfill the heavenly vision that God had entrusted to him. No wonder Paul could say, that he had fought a good fight, finished the race, and that there was a crown of righteousness that awaited him.
If for some reasons maybe because of some weakness, some friendships, or any other hindrance have lost your vision, the Lord encourages you to press on. Like Caleb if you will keep moving with the vision that God has given you, even at the age of eighty five you will continue to go strong, and God will help you fulfill that vision. Surrender your lives to the Lord, and He will forgive you, restore you, put you back on track so that you can accomplish the purpose for which God called and envisioned you.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by Sis. Esther Collins
