Convictions

O. T. #472  "Convictions"
March 4, 2015
Joshua 14-Part 1
Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt, but I wholly followed the LORD my God.  Joshua 14:9

LET IT GLOW

How strong are our convictions? We have seen the convictions of those 21 Christians beheaded in Egypt recently. Now that is definitely a testing of the heart. We must all decide how we would react in such a confrontation. They have received a crown of life for their stand of faith for Jesus. Caleb took a stand for his convictions that God is faithful and would give him his promised mountain for an inheritance. Shall we look into the situation a little closer?

With the conquering of so much of the land of Canaan, Joshua and Eleazar the priest (heads of church and state, so called), began the distribution of the Promised Land to the tribes of Israel. Previously, we read of the distribution of the land east of the Jordan River going to Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh. Now comes the land west of the river. The apportionment was determined by the casting of lots (a small pebble). Lots were frequently used to determining the will of God. It was done so in the choice of King Saul (1 Sam. 10:19-21) and Matthias as apostle (Acts 1:26). Because the casting of lots assured that no personal ambition or external pressure would decide the outcome, this method was used by Israel. The sovereignty of God alone would prevail, and they would trust The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD. (Prov. 16:33).
[Resource: Liberty Bible Commentary]

Caleb, who was Joshua's one-time spy partner, did not need the casting of lots for his inheritance, for God had already promised him and Joshua a certain portion of the land. Caleb was 40 years old when he went to spy out the land of Canaan for Moses. Now he was age 85. He brought word that was in his heart. Caleb and Joshua were the only ones of the twelve spies who believed God could give the first generation of Israel the land of Canaan. This was seen by the second generation.

In her study Guide, The Best Yes, author Lysa TerKeurst says:

Caleb's statement gives a picture of two hearts: his own, and that of the people. the picture we have of Caleb's heart is that it was undivided and filled with faith. Caleb's conviction (meaning heart) made him certain of God's instructions to take the land. In contrast, the people lost their conviction. One heart follows fear and dissolves; the other follows God and is filled with courage.

Joshua says in verse 8 that he wholly followed the LORD his God.
The word wholly means to fill or be full of.

It was Caleb's whole-hearted conviction that God could be trusted which gave Caleb courage to claim what was promised to him.
 
Caleb was filled with faith in God. He believed God could and would keep His promises. However, the peoples' hearts melted, which means to dissolve, melt as water. As a result of this caused by listening to the report of the other ten spies about the giants in the land, Israel did not conquer Canaan until 45 years later.

Do we live by our convictions of our heart or the ways of the world?
Which is more important to us, pleasing others or pleasing God?
When we are challenged by giants, walls, or armies, do we loose heart or stand by our convictions and God's Word?
Do we allow fears to conquer us or do we conquer them?
Are we whole-heartedly obedient to God, following Him with all of our heart?


LET IT GROW

What portion of land was Caleb and Joshua promised while back at Kadesh-barnea? (Did you notice that his memory now was just as strong as his physical strength?) Caleb did not forget God's promise to him. According to verse 9, it was the land where their feet trod on that spy expedition. He knew God kept His promises, which included those made to Caleb.

What did Caleb tell Joshua?

• He wholly followed the LORD. (verse 8)
• The LORD kept Caleb alive these 45 years during the wondering in the wilderness. (verse 10)
• Caleb is 85 years old. (verse 10)
• He is as strong that day as he was 40 years earlier, a strong soldier for the LORD. (verse 11)
• He boldly claimed his inheritance, Give me this mountain. Mt. Hebron was the burial sight of the patriarchs of Israel. Although the Anakims lived there, Caleb and his tribe would conquer it with God's help.

Will we be that strong in faith as Caleb was, for the next 45 years?

LET IT GO

Wholly yield to the Lord.

Know His promises and believe them.

Keep my heart fixed on God.

Depend on God to give me victory in my life.

Thank Him for the victories.