4 minute read
GIVE ME THIS MOUNTAIN, Joshua 14:12
DEVOTIONAL
Dear Friends in Alberta,
I hope you are well and finding peace and power in Jesus Christ, our best friend, Savior, and soon-coming King!
I invite you to remember the following story:
Years ago, when God’s people pressed up close to the Promised Land, twelve men were chosen to go ahead and spy out the land. They waded through rivers, hiked through forests, darted over meadows, and crept cautiously around Canaanite villages. They took mental notes of all they saw and heard.
Twelve spies came back with stories. Two triumphantly showed the gawking crowd the single cluster of grapes they both struggled to carry. Others told of fertile soil, abundant fruit trees, and well-watered pastures. However, ten of the twelve spoke mostly of the giants in the land who lived in high-walled cities.
Ten of the twelve spoke of how small they were — “like grasshoppers” (Num. 13:33) — when compared with the giants. They spoke of cities that could not be taken, giants that could not be beaten, and nations that were thought to be too strong for the God of all gods. Nevertheless, the two had another story.
Two men faced the crowd and faithfully confronted the fears. Joshua and Caleb boldly proclaimed, “Do not fear the people of the land, for they will be our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them” (14:9, NASB).
On that day, Israel refused to move forward by faith. Their rebellion led to a 40-year detour through the wilderness. After 40 years, all the generations who had rebelled had died except for Caleb and Joshua.
After Israel entered the Promised Land, Caleb, now 85 years old, approached Joshua to ask for land for his new home. He had taken his stand for God 45 years beforehand. He had lived a faithful life. The leaders leaned forward to catch the conversation between Caleb and Joshua.
Surely, Caleb would request property that was already cleared of stumps, hostile cities, and unconquered giants. It would be expected of this renowned man of faith, who had already “done his time” in the wilderness, to ask for a safe place with ease and security in mind. However, Caleb did the unexpected.
Caleb asked to inherit the place no one else wanted to go! His request to Joshua thundered, “Now, therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were
there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the Lord said” (Josh. 14:12, NKJV).
Caleb fought and conquered the giants of the mountains and made his home on the spot Israel said could not be taken. He did what humanity said could not be done. God supplied all his needs.
In February of this year, my wife, April, found out she has aggressive, stage 4 large B-cell lymphoma. It was and continues to be a shock. We fasted, prayed, and asked God what He most wanted us to ask of Him. He led us to ask Him to bring the highest glory to Jesus through this crisis, whether He heals her or not, and bring believers and unbelievers to know that He is enough. This is our mountain. My friend, where is your “mountain” that must be taken for the glory of God? Is your mountain a personal crisis that could challenge you to give up your faith and turn back? Is your mountain a friend or family member who seems impossible to reach for Christ? Is your mountain a village, town, or city in Alberta that seems out of reach of the gospel? Is your mountain a God-given dream you know you have no money or experience to fulfill? Friends, cry out to the King of kings, “Give me this mountain!”
Your friends,
Don and April MacLafferty Missionary and Author
