T-83

The countdown to Camp Tsungani continues as does my study of Numbers 13:17-33. Today, we get to the heart of the matter. Consider…

"Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”" (Numbers 13:30, NIV)
[1]

In Caleb’s actions as recorded in this passage, I see four important points that I want to explore.

First, there is courage – being brave enough to do what you should do even when you’re afraid. Can you imagine the pressure that Caleb must have felt after hearing the reports of his fellow tribal leaders? The majority of them were intimidated by the size of the people and the strength of the fortified cities. Their report was cautious at best and downright negative at its worst. In any group, there is a natural pressure to ‘get in step’ with the rest of the group and it’s a common form of peer pressure. Surely Caleb felt this pressure but even in the face of that, he had the courage to step up and speak his mind. ‘Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses’, that’s an act of courage. Caleb sets an example for us to follow and scripture is teaching us to have courage.

Secondly, there is faith – being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. I can imagine having seen the huge fortified cities and the population of giants that all the ‘spies’ would be scared. After all, they had seen these things with their own eyes and they knew that they could not overcome these obstacles alone. Their problem was that they had lost their faith, believing only in what they could see and touch. However, Caleb’s courage was not founded on some kind of misguided zeal but was grounded in his faith in the all-powerful God. ‘We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” Caleb knew that the same God that had delivered them from Egypt, parted the Red Sea and destroyed the Pharoah’s armies could also help them to claim this land, the Promised Land. Caleb’s faith compelled him to action and those actions revealed the strength of his faith.

Thirdly, there is encouragement – the act of giving hope or promise. Central to this concept is that of action. Caleb stepped forward and silenced the people, challenging his fellow tribal leaders, with courage. Caleb spoke with conviction of their ability to take possession of the land out of faith in God. To the many who were there that were willing and eager to be led, he offered hope of victory and the realization of God’s promise to his people. Caleb did not argue with the naysayers which could have easily descended into bickering but rather he offered the confidence of the faithful and in this is found encouragement. The act of encouragement emboldens the weak and multiplies courage in the face of despair. Caleb’s encouraging spirit lives out the scriptural mandate that we ‘encourage one another’ to accomplish good works in God’s name.

Attitude – a mental position with regard to a fact or state. Caleb had a ‘can-do’ attitude, he was a ‘glass half full’ kind of guy. But he was no Pollyanna or bubble-headed optimist rather his attitude was based on his dependence upon God. We all face this opportunity each and every day. We know when we awake that the day will hold obstacles and opportunities. It is our choice how we will meet the challenges and trouble of the day. Some will go forth down-trodden, defeated before the battle is even joined. Others will spring forth eager to face whatever awaits. I like to think that I’m a Caleb kind of guy, that I spring forth and look for the opportunities to be an overcomer. What about you? When you face the giants in your life are you hypnotized by your fear, frozen in place and unable to move? Or are you confident in the providential nature of God and embrace your situations as opportunities?

The fact of the matter is that your attitude, positive or negative, can make a big difference in how you view a situation. Henry Ford, the industrialist, once said “whether you think you can or think you can’t, either way you’re right.” God said, through the Scripture that we are to be encouragers of one another. Let’s commit anew today to be Caleb’s in our world; courageous, faithful, encouraging and optimistic. In this we honor God.

Regards,
Carl

[1] The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.