The Secret To Being Strong

We read in Joshua 14:10-11, “But now, look. It has been forty-five years since the LORD said that to Moses. That was when Israel was going through the desert, and the LORD, as he promised, has kept me alive ever since. Look at me! I am eighty-five years old and am just as strong today as I was when Moses sent me out. I am still strong enough for war or for anything else.” (GNB)

These are the words of Caleb the man of God. When Caleb was forty years old, the Lord gave a word to Moses regards Caleb, which God fulfilled forty five years later. Caleb testified that for forty five years since that day, his strength had not diminished one bit. Through this message I hope we will be able to understand the secret behind Caleb’s strength.

Background to these verses

The Israelites had come near the Promised Land after their deliverance from Egypt, but it was decided that twelve men, one leader each from the twelve tribes of Israel be chosen, and sent to spy on the Promised Land before they decided to enter it. Caleb was one of those chosen twelve. After forty days of exploring the land, when the men returned back, ten of them gave a report that the land could not be conquered because of the giants who lived in them. However, Caleb and Joshua were of a different mindset, and believed that the land could be overpowered because the Lord was with them. Sadly, the Israelites decided to go with the opinion of the majority.

The Israelites complained

We read in Numbers 14:2, “They complained against Moses and Aaron, and said, "It would have been better to die in Egypt or even here in the wilderness!” (GNB)

In their frustration the Israelites went by the report of the ten men, and got disheartened. They therefore declared that it would have been better to have died in Egypt or even in the wilderness.

We too, often speak about death in moments of bitterness in our life.

God’s punishment

The response of God is recorded in Numbers 14:28-29, “Now give them this answer: 'I swear that as surely as I live, I will do to you just what you have asked. I, the LORD, have spoken. You will die and your corpses will be scattered across this wilderness. Because you have complained against me, none of you over twenty years of age will enter that land.” (GNB)

The Lord who heard the Israelites murmur that they would prefer death said that He would do according to their wishes. God had done mighty wonders for the Israelites in Egypt, delivered them from the cruel hands of Pharaoh, had opened a way for them to cross over the Red Sea, and had brought them close to the land that He had promised. However, these people were so dismayed by the words of the ten men that they desired death to life.

God’s response to these people was that He would do for them exactly as they asked of Him. The Lord had heard all of their murmurings, and rendered to them what was due. None of them who were above twenty years of age were permitted to enter the Promised Land, except Joshua and Caleb. This was the sad consequence the Israelites had to face because of their unbelief.

This serves as a warning to us about the words that we speak. As children of God let us thank God for the grace that brought us out of many hardships and trials. Let us confess to God now that we too have sinned by murmuring against God, and have often spoken that we prefer death to life that God has gifted us with.

The attitude Caleb had

But Caleb had a different attitude and God testified about Caleb in Numbers 14:24, “But because my servant Caleb has a different attitude and has remained loyal to me, I will bring him into the land which he explored, and his descendants will possess the land” (GNB)

God called Caleb His servant who had a different attitude, and commended him for the same. Caleb did not have a despondent attitude that the other men had. He had firm faith in God, and was loyal to God. Therefore, God promised that He would take Caleb to the Promised Land that God had prepared for them. This promise was made to Caleb when he was forty years old. Now, forty five years later that promise was fulfilled. An extremely long wait, but was sure worthwhile.

Only God can take us to the place that He has prepared for us. Whenever there is a delay in the promises of God being fulfilled in our lives we should never discouraged.

This was the reason why Caleb said in Joshua 14:10-11, “But now, look. It has been forty-five years since the LORD said that to Moses. That was when Israel was going through the desert, and the LORD, as he promised, has kept me alive ever since. Look at me! I am eighty-five years old and am just as strong today as I was when Moses sent me out. I am still strong enough for war or for anything else.” (GNB)