Sunday May 19th, 2024
« Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” »
12 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.”
13 And Joshua blessed him, and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as an inheritance.
14 Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel.
The implication of Caleb’s request in our Bible reading today is that he was asking for a new responsibility and assignment.
It should be recalled that though the Lord had declared that the promised land belonged to the children of Israel, they still had the responsibility of acquiring it.
The original settlers would not give up the land they had occupied from time immemorial, hence the need for the Israelites to fight to take what had been divinely declared to be theirs.
One of the most difficult types of lands to acquire is a mountain, yet Caleb told Joshua, “Give me this mountain”.
The Lord had assured Caleb that He would give that part of the land to him for his good report of faith.
This faith persisted even into his old age; he still believed in the faithfulness of God to give him the mountain part of the promised land.
In today’s reading, we learn that, “Lord, give me this mountain” means, “Give me this assignment and by Your grace, I shall accomplish it”.
For example, when you pray that God should make you His minister, you are asking for a great task but I can assure you that His grace will be sufficient for you, according to 1 Timothy 3:1NLT which says,
« “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he/she desires an honorable position.” »
- “Give me this mountain” could also mean, “Make me a missionary and I shall win the world for You” or “Make me Your disciple and I shall do greater works for You”.
Desiring to work for God is the best thing that can happen to a child of God.
However, it is a great responsibility.
For example, in 1 Timothy 3:2 CW the Bible says, “A church leader then must be blameless…” among other qualifications.
In other words, living a sinless life is part of the price of doing God’s work.
In 2 Timothy 2:20-21 we read that only those who purge themselves of the impurities of life can carry out divine assignments successfully.
Our memory verse today reveals God’s search of vessels unto honor, for which Isaiah volunteered.
This was preceded by a process of purification after admitting his unworthiness (Isaiah 6:5-7).
Beloved, for you to be used by God to successfully execute divine assignments, you must undergo spiritual purification through a new birth and sanctification by the blood of Jesus Christ (1 John 1:8-9).
Prayer focus – Lord prepare me a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true. With thanksgiving, I will be a living sanctuary for You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Author – Bishop Enoch. A. Adeboye.
Edited by Naomie
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