Constancy

Saturday July 10, 2021

Constancy

“For your part, therefore, hold fast to what you have heard from the beginning. If what you have heard from the beginning abides in you, you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.” 1 John 2. 24 (King James Version)

Some biblical figures are remarkable, yet they are forgotten, far behind other more popular heroes. Those that are not talked about much are not insignificant, however, and it is worth taking a closer look at their journey. Moses sent 12 spies to Canaan before leading all the people there. Upon returning from this expedition, 10 of them gave a startling report of what they had seen, to the point of discouraging everyone from going any further. There were, according to them, formidable giants. Only Joshua and Caleb tried to minimize the danger. Joshua later became Moses' successor; Caleb was left in the dark. However, the latter showed great courage in silencing the people who reproached Moses for having led them into a dead end : "Let us go up, let us seize the country, we will be victorious there !" But panic had blinded the people who wanted to stone Joshua and Caleb. Finally, the Hebrews will wander 40 years in the desert for not daring. During this time, Caleb must have been chomping at the bit, barely containing his impatience and above all noting the incredible delay, the mad waste of time and even the erasure of an entire generation. Having to wait 40 years to grasp the promise at hand, what a sadness ! Now, God indicates : “As for my servant Caleb, because he was animated by another spirit and he fully followed my way, I will bring him into the land where he went and his descendants will possess it.” (Numbers 14.24). Caleb, at age 85, finally enters Canaan and receives Hebron. He had seen the risks, the obstacles, the giants, but he had also seen the Lord strike down the Egyptians, the people saved from the exterminating angel, the sea open, water gush out of the rock... And he had grasped the promise which, although it was late, came. He has been one of the few beneficiaries thanks to his constency. Let’s not be impatient. God keeps his word !

Source (His Word for Today)