When I was growing up, I thought religious people were straight-laced, sober and sad. The worst thing one could be was a fundamental Christian. They didn’t have fun. Their lives were completely irrelevant. Going to church was the most boring thing one could do. In our culture, I believe many people hold similar beliefs. One boss made fun of me because he knew I was a Christian. He enjoyed drinking during the lunch hour and walked very tipsy afterward. What does following the Lord look like? Is it worthwhile? Would you like proof?
In today’s lesson, Caleb provides a great example to show what following the Lord looks like and why it’s worthwhile.
Israel inherited territory in Canaan , which Eleazar the priest, Joshua and heads of households of tribes apportioned to the various tribes (Josh. 14:1). Caleb explained how he was 40 when Moses sent him out from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land. He followed the Lord fully by not being afraid of the giants in the land like the other spies who allowed fear to demoralize the people (Josh. 14:7-8). Here are the markers for people who follow the Lord fully:
1. Answer God’s call even when the job is tough or won’t help one’s resume.
2. Tell the truth without fear and exercise faith by standing alone in midst of peer pressure.
Why following the Lord is worthwhile: Stable character in midst of stress
Caleb was as strong 45 years later as he was when Moses sent him to spy out the land. He boldly asked for the hill county that God had spoken to him earlier. Joshua gave Hebron to Caleb as an inheritance because he followed the Lord fully (Josh. 14:11-14). Here are additional markers for people who follow the Lord fully:
3. Resist the world, flesh and devil with consistency over the long haul in the spiritual battle.
4. Pursue God’s promise boldly with perseverance in obtaining the goal God’s communicates to us.
Why following the Lord is worthwhile: Overcome obstacles to accomplish God’s will
Because of God’s command, Joshua gave Caleb a portion of Judah. Caleb dispossessed the three sons of Anak and inhabitants of Debir, formerly Kiriath-sepher. He offered his daughter, Ashsah, to any man would capture the latter. Othniel defeated Kiriath-sepher and received Caleb’s daughter as his wife. (Josh. 15:13-17). She persuaded Othniel to ask Caleb for a field and he gave her upper and lower springs (Josh. 15:18-19).
Here are additional markers for people who follow the Lord fully:
5. Encourage their children to find spouses actively engaged in the spiritual battle to bring God’s kingdom on earth.
6. Provide spiritual nourishment to their children and spouses.
Why following the Lord is worthwhile: Bless your future generations spiritually
Judah received an inheritance according to their families, which included cities (Josh. 15:20-62). Sons of Judah could not drive out Jebusites who became inhabitants of Jerusalem. As a result, the Jebusites live in Jerusalem with Judah until this day. In summary, if every believer lived like Caleb, God’s kingdom would be ruling in every city and cultural sphere of influence because sin would not be dwelling in our bodies (Josh. 15:63).
Here are additional markers for people who follow the Lord fully:
7. Pursue God’s glory in your sphere of influence.
8. Deal harshly with sin to remain pure.
Why following the Lord is worthwhile: Become difference makers by spreading God’s glory
Study in detail the life of Caleb from this passage by meditating on it. Ask God to help you apply at least one of the eight markers listed in this blog.
