”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.
Joshua 14:11New International Version (NIV)
Joshua 14:11 ~ Strong and vigorous
Still “strong and vigorous” (Joshua 14:11) is Caleb’s testimony of God’s faithfulness in sustaining him. That is, God kept him alive, well, and strong. He preserved him and kept him strong in his body and mind.
Therefore, his strength for war did not deteriorate. He did not become weak or timid with the passing of years (45 years in number, which were made up of 38 years of wandering in the hot dry wilderness and 7 years of fighting).
Caleb actually confessed that he was just as ready for the war then, as he had been 38 years earlier. He was still eager for battle.
His eagerness for battle was important because God had promised him a specific inheritance once they had occupied the land. But it was not God’s promise that caused him to be faithful. He was just faithful and the promise came.
What a testimony of God’s ability to keep! What a testimony of Caleb’s faith and faithfulness!
Caleb was just as keen to serve the Lord and fight His battles as he had been when he first spied out the land. He was keen to take on the enemy. He had not lost his commitment to the Lord in his old age. And God remained faithful to him.
Meaning that you and I need to remain faithful in our faith in God. In John 15:5, Jesus encourages us to remain faithful to Him and experience fruitfulness through Him.
Just like Caleb, who had to live his faith among a faithless generation, we must be able to wander in this faithless generation till we obtain God’s promise for us. We can do this for God has made all the things we require to live the life of faith (2 Peter 1:3).
Prayer/Blessing
May you be convinced that God will keep you, and the battles of faith will not take away your strength and vigour. So, keep battling, for you will get to the promise.
