I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. Joshua 14:11
Last week, I shared with you how the top 10 Israelite leaders partnered in their hearts with the spirits of fear and discouragement, igniting a ferocious wildfire, as they spoke out their darkened perceptions about the Promised Land. (Numbers 13 & 14) This deadly fire that swept through the camp of the Israelites was fueled by the demonic spirits of fear and discouragement. These spirits took dominion over the minds of millions of Israelites, destroying their hopes, dreams, and lives.
Yes, fear and discouragement are two of satan’s greatest tools that prevented and still prevent God’s people from entering into their Promised Land. That is why God clearly commanded Joshua, as he stood at the brink of leading the next generation of Israelites into the Promised Land to not only “Be strong and courageous,” but also said “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Caleb, along with Joshua, were not succumbed by the spirits of fear and discouragement. They had “a different spirit”. They had the spirit of faith – faith in God and faith in God’s Word. God said this about Caleb, “But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirt in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it.” Numbers 14:24 That day when Joshua and Caleb’s friends and family were shaking in their boots, Joshua and Caleb courageously stood with God against the current of unbelief, partnering with the spirit of faith and not the spirit of fear.
Under the New Covenant of God’s grace believe these words for your life – that you are just as strong physically, mentally, and emotionally to defeat the giants that are standing in your Promised Land as the day you first received the “Promise,” God’s Word.
Forty-five years later, Joshua declared over Caleb these same God-given words, “because he followed the Lord God wholly” and then Joshua gave Hebron to Caleb and his descendants as an inheritance. (Numbers 14:13-14) Hebron stood at the top of a mountain chain which was about 3,000 feet in elevation. It was inhabited by the descendants of Anak, giant sized man. While Caleb’s fellow leaders 45 years prior had greatly feared these giants, I can see Caleb looking past these giants into the eyes of the Captain of the Lord’s army (Joshua 5:15), whose size and accompanying army far outweighed anything they would face in the Promised Land as he said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it?”
The Word of the Lord that was in Caleb’s heart and mouth at 40 years of age never departed from him, because at 85 years old he declares “give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day.” Joshua 14:12 When Caleb said this, he knew that he was still going to have to fight the giants in Hebron for he said, “As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in.” Joshua 14:11
Under the New Covenant of God’s grace believe these words for your life – that you are just as strong physically, mentally, and emotionally to defeat the giants that are standing in your Promised Land as the day you first received the “Promise,” God’s Word. Jesus Christ is your strength and He is living on the inside of you. Paul echoes God’s word in Joshua 1:9, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” As you put on the whole armor of God, which is Jesus Christ Himself, you will have the supernatural strength you need to defeat any giant that is standing in your Promised Land.
LEARN MORE
Discover the strength and courage you need to defeat the giants standing in your Promised Land in
Choices Determine Destiny teaching series (video, audio, PDF notes).