I wrote this post ten years ago, but it’s still relevant. I’ve been thinking about this as I read/listened to the book of Joshua again this week. There was a significant difference in the way that Joshua and Caleb approached life and uncertainty than the other Israelite spies and the population as a whole. We have the opportunity to exercise a different mentality right now as we experience the uncertainty of COVID-19 and quarantines.
It’s a brave new world…and that’s unsettling.
However, some things remain unchanged. God is God. He is good. And He is ultimately in control, even when we can’t see His clear fingerprints.
Now back to my thoughts on what made Joshua and Caleb different from the other ten spies Moses sent in to explore the Promised Land. First let’s start with how the twelve (and all Israelites) were similar:
1) They were all selected to go into the Promised Land as spies because they were leaders in their tribes. That suggests to me they had some vision and standing in their communities.
2) They had all just walked through the Red Sea. On dry land. With the water held back by the invisible hand of God. Can you imagine?
3) They’d all just lived the series of miracle and plagues in Egypt. They had seen God’s hand at work on their behalf to free them from Egypt. Not once. Not twice. But ten times.
Yet when these 12 walked through the Promised Land, only two could look at that environment and apply what had just happened. So the men are big. Who cares? Our God is much bigger. So the land seems like we’ll have to fight for it. Who cares? My God just fought to free from generations of slavery.
Somehow, Joshua and Caleb had the vision to see that if God had moved in the past, He would move now. It was no big deal for God.
Lord, make me like Joshua and Caleb. Help me to see the situation as You do. That You are always bigger and mightier. And that You are more than able to do exceedingly, abundantly more.
You might also be interested in my post on living with a different spirit and this one on Joshua.
Comments 17
Thanks for the reminder. How easy it is to be a forgetful Israelite.
This word for me just reminded me of what God has already done… I’m walking to Possess new Territory and as you stated “This was no Big deal to God”
Thanks for your obedience I truly needed this word!
This is so powerful. How can we forget the hand of God in our difficult moments. He is the same today,tomorrow and forever.
Author
Thank you!
Thank you. This word is a balm of peace in the midst of so much uncertainty. God is good and He never changes, but I needed to be reminded of that. Bless you.
Author
You are so welcome!
Thank you so much for the reminder! God is amazing!
God is there in hid holy moutain as our El Shaddai all mighty He cannot change or ever change
Thank you for the reminder that even in this time of uncertainty, we can choose to adopt Caleb and Joshua’s ‘WE CAN!’ spirit and get through this test,
I was thinking of Caleb today and ran across your post during my search. Thanks for the reminder and encouragement during these times, uncertain for us, but not for God.
Author
Thank you!
Thank you for your insight into what made Joshua and Caleb different. I especially was moved by how you emphasized the fact that these spies were leaders chosen by Moses. That tells me that these men were of significant status not only to their specific tribes, but to Moses, a man of valor that God specifically chose to lead the children of Israel to the promised land. Only two out of the twelve tribe leaders had faith and courage to put all their trust in Almighty Sovereign God! Many lessons to be learned here for us.
Than you for reminding that God is great and can move anything. Glory to God.
Look at the world in a panic now… forgetting all these experiences our ancestors went through. History is only a cycle. We are really the continuation of our ancestors. Their record was to teach us and remind us that our GOD NEVER CHANGES!
Same GOD different generation! We have got to be FEARLESS! We are Eternal Beings and when we REALIZE that we won’t fear death of the body!
Have unwavering, unshakable FAITH and CONFIDENCE in the GOD of our ancestors! HE’S the same GOD!
This article was a great reminder and very refreshing for this moment in time! Thank you so much!
POWERFUL, POWERFUL VIBRATIONS FLOWING FROM THIS VIDEO!
Thanks again!
Thank you for sharing this amazing insight. I heard today that it was a choice to fulfill destiny. The ten chose to believe what they saw and panicked. The two believed in the power, ability and awesomeness of God.
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