Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly. (Joshua 14:13-14, NIV 1984).
My Musings – Remember Caleb? God did. “Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to [Joshua], ‘You know what the Lord said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me [the two spies]. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my brothers [the other ten spies] who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly. So, on that day Moses swore to me, the land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.'” (Joshua 14:6-9, NIV 1984).
So, that generation spent forty years wandering in the desert. They were freed from bondage, but because of the lack of trust in God they never entered the promised land. Now, after another five years spent in conquest, the next generation (plus only Joshua and Caleb of the former generation) are at rest from war. And God remembers HIs promise to Caleb. “Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day.” (Joshua 14:10-12, NIV 1984).
My Advice – Because “[he] followed the Lord [his] God wholeheartedly.” Not many of us will face the opposition that the Israelites were to face upon entering the promised land. If we did, perhaps our hearts too would “melt with fear.” Just like the Israelites forgot who had promised them the land in the first place, or at least doubted he could (or would) deliver on His promise.
But, “He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind.” (1 Samuel 15:29, NIV 1984). So, do not think for a minute that the things you do for the Lord will be forgotten by Him. “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 24:40, NIV 1984).
Even if it takes forty-five years, or more, He will not forget. Even if it is as small as a “widow’s mite,” or “something to drink” He will not forget.” Who knows, your “inheritance” just might be in the “hill country.“
The Brew Is A Musing 