Thoughts on Discipleship by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview
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WHAT DID JOSHUA AND CALEB DO THAT WAS SO RIGHT?
Of all the men above twenty-one years of age who left Egypt in the ancient exodus of the Hebrews from that country, only two lived to enter the Promised Land. Those two were Joshua and Caleb. Moses did not make it. Aaron did not make it nor any others of that generation except Joshua and Caleb. So, what did they do that was so right?
About two years into the wilderness journey, the Hebrews came to the edge of the Promised Land. They camped at a place called Kadesh-barnea. From there, twelve spies were sent to spy out the land and make a report. The land was indeed a good land yielding fruit of unimaginable quality and quantity. The spies brought back a cluster of grapes that had to be carried on a pole on the shoulders of two men!
But, Alas! Ten of the twelve spies were frightfully impressed with the giant stature of the inhabitants of the land, their walled cities, and the prospects of their families becoming slaves to them in the likely event of defeat. Was this not simply human? Sinful human! The battle was not the Hebrews’ battle. It was God’s battle.
Enter Joshua and Caleb. These two believed God, and they pleaded with the Hebrews to also believe and follow Him into battle. This was the God Who parted the Red Sea, gave them water from a rock and provided daily bread from heaven. This could have been the beginning of a conquest in which the Hebrews would not lose a single man, but through their unbelief it became a death warrant for every one of them twenty-one years of age and upward, except for Joshua and Caleb. What did they do that was so right? They believed God above all they held dear without reservation. Do you believe God? If so, you are doing something that is so right!
FOR THOUGHT: Do you believe God? Do you really believe God with no reservation for all you hold dear? Do you believe that man’s inability is God’s opportunity? When was the last time you trusted him explicitly and implicitly as you faced a giant challenge?