PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Joshua 13-14
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then!” (Joshua 14:11)
As I get older, I start to feel more tired, and less drive.
I choose to fight less battles… fewer seem worth fighting to me.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not thinking about retirement.
But hearing what Caleb says here does convict me a little.
Age is not a barrier for doing the Lord’s work.
We may not be able to move, or carry, or think as well.
But while we have breath, and “the Lord helping” (v.12), we have potential.
The Lord still has a purpose for us, even when we are old.
“Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord (even at 85!), because
you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
A prayer mumbled by an octogenarian dedicated to the Lord can move mountains!
A small gift, a kind word, a shared life lesson… these can help others.
What drives Caleb is his heart for God and His purpose.
May my heart continue to be driven by Jesus and His kingdom, even when I am old!
PRAYER
Lord, I want to have Caleb’s heart in me. Remind me that whatever I do, no matter how big or small, strong or weak, has impact when You are helping me!
“Well done good and faithful servant!” [Matt. 25: 23] – Caleb was faithful and He trusted God. He is an example to me! Lord help me to be faithful – trusting in God’s promises and living them – right to the end! I do want to do that – Lord helping me!
The words are repeated for Caleb – ‘you have wholly followed the Lord.’ What a testimony. And he continue to serve at age 85. When I taught I shared with my students that the word retirement should not be in our vocabulary. One can never retire from serving the Lord. We/I need to wholly follow the Lord all my days. Others need to see Christ in me by my actions and words. I am always representing my Lord in all I do. Continue to be the wind beneath my wings Lord.
Make me a servant
Humble and meek
Lord let me lift up
Those who are weak
And may the prayer
Of my heart always be
Make me a servant
Make me a servant
Make me a servant today