Monday, September 12, 2011

Following God Fully

Then the sons of Judah drew near to Joshua in Gilgal, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, "You know the word which the LORD spoke to Moses the man of God concerning you and me in Kadesh-barnea. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought word back to him as it was in my heart. Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt with fear; but I followed the LORD my God fully. So Moses swore on that day, saying, 'Surely the land on which your foot has trodden will be an inheritance to you and to your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God fully.' Now behold, the LORD has let me live, just as He spoke, these forty-five years, from the time that the LORD spoke this word to Moses, when Israel walked in the wilderness; and now behold, I am eighty-five years old today. I am still as strong today as I was in the day Moses sent me; as my strength was then, so my strength is now, for war and for going out and coming in. Now then, give me this hill country about which the LORD spoke on that day, for you heard on that day that Anakim were there, with great fortified cities; perhaps the LORD will be with me, and I will drive them out as the LORD has spoken." So Joshua blessed him and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance. Therefore, Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite until this day, because he followed the LORD God of Israel fully. Now the name of Hebron was formerly Kiriath-arba; for Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim. Then the land had rest from war. (Joshua 14:6-15)

There once was a day when people traveled without cell phones. Without GPS or OnStar navigational systems. When they followed one another in cars, followers and leader alike knew where they were going and what to do when they were separated. The leader watched for flashing lights that signaled trouble or a much needed rest stop. And the leader stayed alert to the absence of lights that sent the signal that those who were following were no longer following. The best followers were those who stayed close to the leader. They followed while being fully engaged. God looks for followers who are that way. People who follow God fully.
Have you ever been so passionate and excited in your walk with the Lord only to be discouraged by those you would think should be just as excited as you are? Are you anticipating and claiming the promises of God, patiently waiting to see them fulfilled? There are painful, yet purifying, trials when you follow God. Caleb followed God fully. Caleb was no fledgling follower. He was a full-fledged follower. He knew God by experience. Not only had he witnessed the providential power of God in his life, but watching Moses and Joshua walk with God inspired Caleb to "follow God fully". Caleb's life tells us that following God fully always leads us somewhere.

FOLLOWING GOD FULLY CAN LEAD US TO:

A minority position. Joshua and Caleb gave the unpopular and minority opinion of the spies report of the prospects in Canaan's land. Often when we follow God fully, we can expect that we may be in the minority - even among God's people. We can expect that sometimes people want to hear about comfort without sacrifice and security without risk. When following God fully requires total dependence on God, often the message is rejected.

A promised possession. Caleb knew that God had promised that they would possess the land. He learned that God's word is true and a promise from Him, though not yet realized, is no less a promise.

A preparatory tribulation. Caleb and Joshua were the only ones from their generation to survive the wilderness wanderings. It only took days to bring the people out of Egypt. It took years to get Egypt out of the people. We're still in the process of purification. Often God uses tribulation and trial to purge sin from our midst. Sometimes it takes an entire generation of people following God fully to accomplish this.

God can be glorified in those painful and purifying experiences.

FOLLOWING GOD FULLY CAN LEAD US TO:

A faithful observation. Caleb recounts his life of living with a faithful God. Caleb glorifies God in telling how he is still fit for serving God because God has preserved him to receive the promise. "Now then, give me this hill country..." Caleb's bold request is one that inspires me. He doesn't ask this because he feels entitled...he asks this so he can glorify God by receiving the promise. God preserved his life all these years so we can know that God is faithful to His word.

A collaborative community. Caleb is given the place called Hebron which means a community and alliance. It is given by the covenant keeping God. The God of community. This is what God desires. That we cooperate with Him in obedient partnership and become strong as His people. There are too many go-it-alone types of God’s people. The giant who lived in this place was the greatest among the Anakim. The giant of giants. Arba occupied the place called Kiriath-Arba, modern translation meaning Big Man Ville. God removed Arba from his place and placed one of His servants there. Caleb’s obedience mattered to God. And it mattered to God’s people.

Be encouraged today to follow God fully. He is not a halfhearted God. He wants wholehearted followers.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hi papa, I just wanted to let you know that I read your blog. I really liked it. You do a good job on it. From, Riley