Pay Off

Week 12 Day 4

Joshua 9-14; 1 Corinthians 6

Joshua 14:7-11 (Good News Translation)
7 I was forty years old when the Lord's servant Moses sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out this land. I brought an honest report back to him. 8 The men who went with me, however, made our people afraid. But I faithfully obeyed the Lord my God. 9 Because I did, Moses promised me that my children and I would certainly receive as our possession the land which I walked over. 10 But now, look. It has been forty-five years since the Lord said that to Moses. That was when Israel was going through the desert, and the Lord, as he promised, has kept me alive ever since. Look at me! I am eighty-five years old 11 and am just as strong today as I was when Moses sent me out. I am still strong enough for war or for anything else. 

Faithfulness truly pays off.  

CALEB
40 years ago, spied out the land and faithfully did his duty
45 years later, still strong and up for any battle

What made the difference?  His faithfulness to what he was called to do.

Because of his faithfulness, He was able to receive what "rightfully" belongs to Him as what was promised by Moses 45 years later.  Even though it took a while, he didn't give up or just threw the towel.  He persisted and even was still strong to do more!

Lessons 1:  How many of us would be able to last 45 more years to finally receive what was promised to us?  How many of us are able to wait to receiving it and still be faithful in doing what God has called us to do?  Perhaps, not many.  May we learn from the story of Caleb - who was able to remain faithful to where and what God has called Him to do.  With that, he was able to claim what actually belongs to him as promised by Moses.


Lesson 2:  How many of us claim things that we think rightfully belongs to us but we really haven't been faithful to where and what God has called us to do?  How dare us to claim things that, yes may have been promised to us, but on the other hand, we really didn't do our part!  That's an embarrassment to God!


// BELLE:


Faithfulness.  Claiming what was promised when I know I have proven myself faithful.  Am I willing to wait?  Am I going to wait?  Would I last?  I need to.  Faithfulness.  Be faithful.  No matter what the cost.  Because we know it's going to pay off!


// LORD, please give me strength to keep going.  I know that through and thin, YOU are always there.  What a great example Caleb has for us to remain and be faithful that we can actually claim what was promised - rather than just claiming without actually doing our part, as many of us do!  I pray that You will help me to be more faithful to You regardless of what the cost.  I know that You understand what I go through daily to be persistent and I thank You that you will be there for me at all times.  I just lift my life up to You and I will be faithful to You!  In Jesus' name, amen.