Joshua 14:7, 10–11 (NIV) “I was forty years old when Moses, the servant of the Lord, sent me from Kadesh-barnea to explore the land of Canaan. I brought him back a report according to my convictions… 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.”
There are moments in Scripture when one person’s courage shines like a torch in the darkness. Numbers 13 records one of those moments. Twelve spies went into the land of Canaan. Ten came back, overwhelmed by fear. They spoke of giants and fortified cities and insisted Israel could not possibly win. But two men—Joshua and Caleb—stood firm. Caleb, just forty years old at the time, silenced the crowd and declared, “We can certainly do it!” (Numbers 13:30). Joshua added his agreement, urging the people to trust God.
The nation, however, chose fear over faith. That choice cost them forty years in the wilderness, where an entire generation died without ever entering the Promised Land. Only Joshua and Caleb lived to see the inheritance God had promised.
Decades later, Caleb, now eighty-five, stood before Joshua and said with conviction, “I am still as strong today as I was then.” His words convey an essential message: faith is not just a momentary flash of boldness; it is a lifelong journey of trust. His faith was steady, enduring, and unshaken, even through seasons of waiting.
Joshua’s age is not recorded, but we know he, too, endured those long years of delay. And when Moses died, Joshua rose as Israel’s leader, bringing God’s people into the land. Both men’s lives remind us that faith is not a sprint. It is a marathon. And when it endures, it leaves a mark that inspires generations.
Your faith works the same way. When you trust God through trials, when you cling to His promises despite long delays, when you continue walking faithfully year after year—others notice. Your faith becomes a spark that lights courage in the hearts of those around you.
I once heard the story of a grandmother who had prayed for her grandson’s salvation for over thirty years. To many, that might have seemed like wasted breath. But her faith never wavered. She prayed, believed in him, and encouraged him at every opportunity. At her funeral, that very grandson stood and testified that it was his grandmother’s unwavering faith and prayers that finally drew him to Christ. He became a believer—and later a pastor—because one woman refused to stop trusting God’s promises. Her faith didn’t just carry her; it influenced and shaped generations to come.
This is the lesson Joshua and Caleb leave us: your faith is never just about you. God is constantly weaving your story into His larger plan to redeem humanity. While He delights to bless you personally, His purposes are bigger than your life alone. You may not understand all that He is doing, but you can trust that He has not forgotten you. In His perfect timing, His plan for you will unfold—and at the same time, His redemptive plan for the world will move forward.
Takeaway Steps:
1. Anchor in God’s Word – Fill your heart with His promises so fear doesn’t dominate your thinking.
2. Stay Faithful Over Time – As much as God wants to and will bless you, His plan is always bigger than your personal story. He is working toward redeeming humanity. You may not understand it all, but you can trust Him over it all. He hasn’t forgotten you—but He is weaving your life into His larger purpose.
3. Believe for Your Inheritance – No matter your age or stage, God still has more for you to receive and do.
4. And most importantly… Remember Your Influence – Your faith is never just about you. It impacts, inspires, and gives others the courage to live wholeheartedly for God.
Prayer: "Lord, give me the enduring faith of Joshua and Caleb. Help me to see beyond the giants and obstacles in my life and to trust in Your promises. Remind me that my life is part of Your greater plan to redeem this world. And most of all, let my faith inspire and strengthen others so they, too, will walk boldly and wholeheartedly with You. Amen."
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