I read a story a while back about a man that when asked by his Pastor what his favorite Bible verse was replied, “It came to pass.” The Pastor chuckled because this was not really a verse per se, but a phrase that is used throughout the Bible a whopping 396 times. When the Pastor asked why, the man responded, “When I get into trouble and problems pile up, I turn to my verse and know that my troubles have not come to stay, they have come to pass.”
What a great way to view the goodness of God. You see, you may be experienced trials and tribulation today, but the Lord promises us all throughout His Word that tomorrow is a new day.
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23
We see in Joshua chapter 14 today a man that is one of the best examples of just this, enduring the hardships of the todays, yet always looking forward to the promises of God’s tomorrow. The man? Caleb. Recall that when Moses first arrived at the Promised land 40 years ago, he authorized 12 spies to go into the land to see if they could indeed conquer it. The group was in the land for 40 days and when they returned the report was mixed. 10 of the men declared that the land was controlled by giants. Giant people, giant cities and giant obstacles. It seems these 10 men of little faith failed to believe that God is bigger than any giant we will ever encounter. As a result, they advised the nation to turn and flee, the land can never be conquered, it’s impossible. By the way, have you ever noticed that the smaller your faith is in God, the bigger your obstacles look? But yet two men saw the very same facts very differently. Caleb and Joshua. Yep, 40 years later, all of the other 10 spies, their families and their entire generation have fallen dead in the desert. Only these two men of great faith remain to inherit their share of the Promised Land.
As God is instructing Joshua in the distribution of the Promised Land, Caleb steps up and in great unwavering faith in the Lord, delivers a speech that defines a life of simplicity and single mindedness. Follow the Lord at all costs.
“I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly. So on that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.’
“Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! 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. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites (giants) were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as He said.” Joshua 14:7-12
Wow. Here’s 85 year old Caleb just as on fire for the Lord as when he scouted out the promised land 40 years ago. He is bold in the Lord, filled with great faith and still ready to fight for God. What an amazing example for us today. But notice something about Caleb. He was one of the original 12 spies and because of his great faith in the Lord, he was allowed to live so that he could indeed inherit his place in the Promised Land. But recall what came right before the book of Joshua…40 years of wandering in the desert. Folks, this Godly, faith-filled man that just made this speech, had recently endured 40 years of trodding a hot, dusty path through the rocky, dry desert. He has just journeyed for 40 years through a relentless environment that claimed the lives of an entire generation. He watched his friends and family fall and die in the desert around him, their lack of faith costing them their very lives. Caleb had suffered, was tried and faced tribulations for 40 years, and none of it was his fault. He had every reason to become bitter, angry and resentful towards God. But what we see of Caleb as he walks into the Promised Land is just the opposite. Not only is he physically just as strong as 40 years ago, but his faith is just as strong as well.
In this life we will all face problems, obstacles, defeat, anguish, turmoil, loss and set-backs. The question is, where is God when you are enduring these? Does God get more distant in your trials or like Caleb, does it draw God closer, increasing your faith in the promises of what He has for your tomorrow?
As we conclude the chapter, we see that Joshua does indeed grant Caleb his request for his desired land from the Lord and in possibly the most powerful part of the chapter, Joshua gives the simple reasoning for the decision.
“Therefore Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the Lord, the God of Israel.” Joshua 14:14
Folks, no matter what huge trial is facing you today, wholly follow the Lord. Regardless of what you think your tomorrow looks like, wholly follow the Lord. Even if giants may be looming in your path, wholly follow the Lord. You see, God has made you many great promises about your tomorrow, you only need to have great faith in God and wholly believe them in your heart.
He will never leave you or forsake you. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deut 31:6
He only intends good for you and He will work all for your good as you follow His plan. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
Your tomorrow is already provided for, don't worry about it. “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans (the lost) seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:31-34
Caleb believed in the Lord with great faith and his life showed it. I’m sure that Caleb had many hard and difficult times walking through that desert, but he emerged full of faith and love for the Lord. As you are dealing with hardships today, remember, “it came to pass.”
Your problems will eventually pass, but the love and goodness of the Lord will never pass…His love endures forever.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever.” Psalms 136:1
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