Recently, a 6-year-old boy missed his morning bus to school. Determined not to miss his school breakfast or gym class, the tyke grabbed the keys to his parents’ car, crept out of the house as his mother slept, and drove nearly 6 miles toward his school. The Associated Press report gave amazing detail of the boy’s remarkable jaunt: “He made at least two 90-degree turns, passed several cars and ran off the rural two-lane road several times before hitting an embankment and utility pole about a mile and a half from school.”
What this young boy did was obviously illegal and dangerous, but some people will admire his take-charge mentality.
I imagine that when he grows up, he might be something like Caleb, the fierce Israelite warrior who tenaciously challenged Israel to confront her enemies.
Caleb faced strong opposition to his challenge, however. For the people of the land appeared to hold an overwhelming advantage. “They are stronger than we are!” Israel’s other scouts argued (v.31).
The dire probabilities of the Israelites’ violent demise should have melted any sane man’s courage. (v.32). Israel’s enemies were menacing. Physically, they were huge. Some were giants that made the Israelite spies seem “like grasshoppers” by comparison (v.33). Still, Caleb was undeterred.
But Caleb wasn’t some zealous warrior without good sense. He wasn’t overly confident in his battle-tested skill, nor had he turned a blind eye to the gravity of their situation. Caleb simply believed God. God had spoken, telling Israel that the land would be theirs. And he believed.
When God calls you to some seemingly impossible task, will you have the bold faith of Caleb—faith to believe and obey?
More:
Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” He said. “Take courage. I am here!” (Matthew 14:27).
Next:
What is God calling you to do that will require bold faith? What is holding you back from following His leading?
pjack4 on November 15, 2009 at 7:11 am
Thank you far this reminder of how we should believe with bold faith that God is able to do all he says he can do and more.I pray that I too will be bold in my faith and do the task God sets before me.
P.
hlim on November 15, 2009 at 6:22 pm
My thoughts on this issue often are that the challenge is a lot clearer for the Israelites because God made specific promises or gave specific instructions to them. Knowing what God specifically wants me to do has always been a struggle for me. I guess you could say I should apply the principle to what we know God generally wants us to do. But many similar Biblical stories concern God’s specific will for someone or some group of people.
winn collier on November 15, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Me too, P.
Hlim, I share your difficulty sometimes in gaining clarity on how God is guiding me. My hunch, however, is that it may be simpler than we often make it – and often what God is “calling” us to is often simply what is before us.