a different spirit
“But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.”
NUMBERS 14:24
we are indeed overwhelmed by the onslaught of the plague COVID 19 which has left more than 1 million dead and 34.2 million cases globally; and to add to the already existing problem, we are seeing wars, conflicts, racism, corruption, abuses, etc.
Amidst the unprecedented progress, we are also witnessing the marvels and monsters of technology and how it has depopulated the life of man and dehumanized man by giving us more “things” and less “being”. I believe the only way out of this massive apocalyptic dawn is to believe and trust in God Almighty, our Saviour Jesus Christ. He is our only hope now. Look at the assurance that the Word of God gives:
“…that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil.2:10-11)
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Math.24:14)
“…from every tribe and language and people and nation.” (Rev.5:9)
This is the passion and desire of God which he has revealed in the scriptures from time immemorial. It goes the same for me and you as the church.
I would like to draw our attention to one man, whom God called and certified as a worthy servant, he was equipped with such passion and desire. Let’s look at Joshua 14:7-12.
“I was 40 years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly. So on that day Moses swore to me, ‘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’. Now then, just as the Lord has promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. 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.”
Caleb was 85 years old at this point of time, yet he still remembered every single word spoken by Moses 45 years ago. God allowed him to be part of that spy agency to spy Canaan; this was a divine plan for venturing into new areas of the new horizon with special destiny. As we look at this great man of God Caleb, we need to realise that our trust in God is being challenged every moment by changes in our life and society. Undoubtedly, Caleb had seen the challenges and changes overtime during his 45 years, ever since the day God promised to him the land flowing with milk and honey. I am sure there were times when hope seemed to bleak, when so much rebellion was taking place in the Israelite camps, but Caleb knew God, the Living God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who ensured his promise would not go in vain. He will fulfilled it in his due time, Amen.
If we look in Number 14:24, God certified Caleb in three areas of calling along with a lasting reward, not only to him but to his descendants too. “But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.”
“My Servant”: God certified Caleb as his servant, which meant, nothing could stop him from serving God and obeying him as a slave–obedient unto death, no matter what. Jesus challenged us to be his disciples not just his converts.
“Then he said to them all: If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23).
God knows what to do with you and me when we give Him the master key of our life and serve him eternally. To be approved by men and organization as God’s servant is one thing, but it’s a different thing to be approved by God. Caleb was approved by the heaven as God’s servant.
“A Different Spirit”: This is the spirit that bows to no one, but God, sees no other vision, but God’s; a spirit that will do anything for God’s will and cause. This is the spirit that is interlocked with the Spirit of God that sees beyond what is seen naturally, that sees through faith despite limitations, that sees through the lenses of God’s eyes. This spirit is also the spirit of excellence, for they do things not to please men, but God.
“Follows God wholeheartedly”. Caleb followed and obeyed the Lord with his whole heart. He clearly remembers part of the “Shema”, (Deut 6:4-6)
“The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments I give you today are to be upon your hearts.”
The second person in the Scriptures, whom God certified as following him wholeheartedly is King Josiah. (2Kings 23:25). Caleb is a model for every Christian to follow and to impact the society in a very unique way and to dare to declare like him (Caleb), “I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly”. (Joshua 14:8) The world doesn’t care whether the Scripture is true or not, the world wants to know, “does it work?” Can we show the world, the Bible works and will continue to impact eternally? But only those who believe the Word wholeheartedly will be able to prove to the world that it works. Amen; that’s the conviction of Caleb, for he said, “And I brought him (Moses) back a report according to my convictions…” (Joshua 14:7) The conviction that was interlocked with the Spirit of God that will not deny the truth. Hallelujah.
When we have this kind of commitment and devotion, we will see giants as grasshoppers, mountains as hillocks and plains, problems into possibilities and stumbling blocks into stepping stones.
We know what is going on in the world today, you know where you are and what is going on in your own life now; you are disturbed, confused and perplexed – it’s time to look to him who has chosen you and called you with Caleb’s commitment and faith. You are called to be a Caleb in these last days to exploit the giants and tread the untrodden path, NOW!