Dear church,

“… because he wholly followed the Lord, the God of Israel.” – Joshua 14:14

Caleb was cut from different stuff than other men. Forty-five years earlier, he and Joshua were the only of the twelve spies to insist the people of Israel go forward into the Promised Land (Numbers 13). Ten of the spies made the people quake with fear, thinking the task was impossible. But Caleb spoke up, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it” (Numbers 13:30). Caleb was a man of unwavering faith in God.

Unfortunately, the people of Israel sided with the ten cowardly spies. But God knew Caleb. “He has a different spirit,” God said at the time, “and has followed me fully” (Numbers 14:24). With the commitment came the reward. Caleb “wholly” followed the Lord (Joshua 14:14).

Disciples of Jesus cannot waver in their commitment. They must root out any impurity in this area of their lives – anything that steers them away from fully following Christ. It is possible to be partially committed to Christ. But that’s not what he asks of us (Matthew 16:24). He wants our full devotion to him and to the things to which he is devoted, like his church and the gospel. 

Other forces – activities and people – will try to make us waver in our commitment. Caleb, however, never lost sight of the end game. He was committed to God over anyone else. 

Chris