There are some heroes of the Bible whose valiant faith only shines brighter through the hallways of time. Caleb and Joshua are among them. These Believers were sent to spy out Canaan with ten other men - unbelievers. The ten came back full of doubts, fears, and slander against the Lord… “We are not able to take it!” was their conclusion. But Joshua and Caleb were valiant for God’s promises… “Let us go up at once and possess it, for we are well able to overcome it” (Numbers 13:30).
Joshua and Caleb’s faith wasn’t in their own strength or wisdom. They had seen the same giants and huge walls. They knew the men of Israel really were like grasshoppers in comparison. But only these two saw it all through eyes of faith – viewed through the lenses of the promises and power of God - who said, “I will go before you… I will send hornets to chase them out… I will give you the land.”
Forty years later Joshua became the captain of the army, and leader of Israel. He conquered the land and led Israel to possess their inheritance. Caleb, valiant Caleb, said… “I was forty when Moses sent me to spy out the land and now, lo, I am eighty-five years old. And yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. Now therefore, give me this mountain…” (Joshua 14:10-12). Doesn’t that just thrill your heart and inspire faith?
And the ten men? They died in the wilderness, still doubting God's Word and grumbling in bitter unbelief. In spite of all the wonders the Lord did among them, “they trusted not in His salvation” (Psalm 78:22).
God is still keeping books in our day. What will the chapter of our time say about us? We’re facing other types of giants, huge walls, and we’re surrounded by enemies. May our words and actions show that we view it all through our Savior’s promises and power. And may those around us be inspired to faith, not fear.
It’s our turn to be valiant for Truth.
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