What a Boss

Jan. 10

Read: Joshua 14:6-15

What a Boss

“And now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old. I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming.” -Caleb (v.10)

Caleb was as strong at 85 years old as he was when he was 40. This is amazing to me. Frankly, I am 46 and don’t feel all that strong these days. My shoulders ache. My knee is injured. I pulled a muscle in my back just the other day. I even have to use reading glasses now. Each and every day, my body reminds me that I am aging, getting older, and NOT as strong as I used to be. Caleb looks at Joshua at 85 years old and functionally says, “I am as good today as I ever was.”

Caleb wasn’t speaking figuratively. This was not a case of him just trying to say he felt good these days. No… he was being very specific. He not only mentions being fit and strong “ for going and coming” (which is just a way to talk about the everyday actions of life) but, he also mentions specifically the strength to go to war! This was not some byproduct of his diet, or getting his steps in every day… it wasn’t just that he was the most athletic 85-year-old around… The point is that this is SUPERNATURAL. Caleb, in his old age, was supernaturally preserved and strengthened for the battles that the Lord had for him. The text makes it clear WHY and HOW Caleb remained so strong:

“I (Caleb) wholly followed the LORD my God.” (v.8)

“And Moses swore on that day, saying, Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance for you and your children forever because you have wholly followed the LORD my God.’” (v.9)

Caleb “wholly followed the Lord our God” every step of his life. He was the only one who spoke up and trusted that the Lord our God could conquer the evil giants of the land. (cf. Num. 13) God made a promise to Caleb through Moses: that he would indeed someday take hold of that very land he walked upon. (v.9, Num. 14) Now was the time that promise would be fulfilled and God had kept Caleb strong enough to do it!

There are at least 2 crucial points for us to take away from this passage. The first is that God always keeps his promises, and those promises are for those who “wholly follow”him. Caleb is an example of this long obedience in the same direction… of faithfully and loyally walking with the Lord all the days of his life. The second truth is this: God supernaturally and powerfully strengthens his people to carry out the work that he has given them! Caleb has always trusted THE LORD’S STRENGTH to bring victory in battle and the land to the people. This is precisely why Caleb remained strong - because he actually was trusting the LORD’S STRENGTH not his own. His confidence was rooted in the Lord. This was true when he was 40 and it was true when he was 85. God can and will strengthen you and entrust you with everything you need to follow him and do the work he has called you to do. This was the defining feature of Caleb's life: trusting the Lord in the battle. This is how an 85-year-old man goes to battle with evil giants and wins. That land that Caleb walked upon became the home of his descendants… God's promise was fulfilled to Caleb. As you look at the “giants” in front of you and all of the battles that lie ahead - remember this truth. Love you guys. - JDP