Caleb and Joshua were the two spies who brought back a positive faith report when the others were negative about the people's chances of taking the Land God had promised. Thus, no one from that generation was permitted to enter the Land except those two. Forty-five years later, this is what Caleb stepped forward to say:
"Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said" (Joshua 14:10-12, emphasis added).
What's more, Caleb didn't expect his portion to be handed to him. He declared that once he was given the go ahead, he was willing to fight for the right to live there. Technically and legally the land was his, but he knew he had to pay a price if he and his family were to come into and enjoy it to the fullest.
You too have an inheritance in Christ, a purpose that will produce godly fruit as long as you "work it." But work it you must, for the forces of darkness will not yield what belongs to you unless you're willing to exert the time and effort to see it happen. What are you believing the Lord for in your later years? Have you retired, not just from work, but from a life of faith? Have you lost your zeal to be able to say "I have fought the good fight" (2 Timothy 4:7) as Paul wrote?
And if you're young(er), what is your sustaining vision for life? Caleb moved with the people but had to wait for an entire generation to pass away before he could come into his own. Are you willing to wait, staying ready for the day of promise? As you live and serve Him, keep in mind that your inheritance is not just in this life as we read in Hebrews 11:13, 16:
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. ... Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
Like Caleb, be ready to live a life of faith that is looking forward to the reward and God will welcome you into the heavenly city He has prepared for you.
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