Following God Wholeheartedly
Years ago, I came across a powerful quote by John Maxwell: “When you are gone
people will sum up your life in one sentence, write it now.” One of my favorite summary
statements of a life in scripture is about a man named Caleb in the Old Testament.
Numbers 14:24 states, “But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows
me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will
inherit it.” What a remarkable summary of a life! So, what does a life of following God
wholeheartedly look like?
First, Caleb’s life is marked by enthusiastically and courageously believing the
promises of God. Going all the way back to Abraham, the Jewish people have been
promised the land of Canaan. God had miraculously delivered the Jews from slavery in
Egypt. He brought them to the edge of the Promised Land. Moses sent twelve spies to
investigate the land. Unfortunately, ten of the spies were emotionally overwhelmed by
the fortified cities and the powerful people. They came away from their investigation
believing that that the Jews would be defeated and possibly massacred if they tried to
claim the promised land. Only Caleb and Joshua believed that God would fight for
them. Israel was terrified by the report of the ten spies. They refused to go in. Caleb
believed even when he was part of a tiny minority. Do we believe the promises of God?
He promises to always be with us (Matthew 28:20). He promises to return someday
(Matthew 24:30). He promises that He is preparing a place for us (John 14:2). We, like
Caleb, need to cling to God’s promises.
Second, Caleb modeled tenacious perseverance. Once Israel refused to conquer
the Promised Land God’s punishment was severe. None of that generation, except
Caleb and Joshua, would enter the Promised Land in conquest. So, Caleb waited. And
waited. Not months, not years but decades. Have you ever been part of a class or
group that is punished, and you did not do anything wrong? It’s hard to take. I must be
honest, after 20 years of waiting I might start praying that people hurry along to their
reward. But as far as we can tell Caleb was remarkably patient; he trusted God’s timing
and endured Israel’s punishment even though he had not participated in their sinful fear
filled cowardice. As an 85-year-old man when the Jews entered the Promised Land
Caleb asked for the hill country filled with the Anakim (a giant people). In essence, he
asked for the roughest terrain and the most formidable people.
To follow God wholeheartedly is to follow him faithfully over the long haul. It’s praying for your lost friend for years or even decades. It’s loving your “enemy” at work rather than jumping to another job. It’s working through the conflict with your spouse rather than heading to divorce court. The world needs more people like Caleb. Let’s follow God wholeheartedly.
Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church
people will sum up your life in one sentence, write it now.” One of my favorite summary
statements of a life in scripture is about a man named Caleb in the Old Testament.
Numbers 14:24 states, “But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows
me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will
inherit it.” What a remarkable summary of a life! So, what does a life of following God
wholeheartedly look like?
First, Caleb’s life is marked by enthusiastically and courageously believing the
promises of God. Going all the way back to Abraham, the Jewish people have been
promised the land of Canaan. God had miraculously delivered the Jews from slavery in
Egypt. He brought them to the edge of the Promised Land. Moses sent twelve spies to
investigate the land. Unfortunately, ten of the spies were emotionally overwhelmed by
the fortified cities and the powerful people. They came away from their investigation
believing that that the Jews would be defeated and possibly massacred if they tried to
claim the promised land. Only Caleb and Joshua believed that God would fight for
them. Israel was terrified by the report of the ten spies. They refused to go in. Caleb
believed even when he was part of a tiny minority. Do we believe the promises of God?
He promises to always be with us (Matthew 28:20). He promises to return someday
(Matthew 24:30). He promises that He is preparing a place for us (John 14:2). We, like
Caleb, need to cling to God’s promises.
Second, Caleb modeled tenacious perseverance. Once Israel refused to conquer
the Promised Land God’s punishment was severe. None of that generation, except
Caleb and Joshua, would enter the Promised Land in conquest. So, Caleb waited. And
waited. Not months, not years but decades. Have you ever been part of a class or
group that is punished, and you did not do anything wrong? It’s hard to take. I must be
honest, after 20 years of waiting I might start praying that people hurry along to their
reward. But as far as we can tell Caleb was remarkably patient; he trusted God’s timing
and endured Israel’s punishment even though he had not participated in their sinful fear
filled cowardice. As an 85-year-old man when the Jews entered the Promised Land
Caleb asked for the hill country filled with the Anakim (a giant people). In essence, he
asked for the roughest terrain and the most formidable people.
To follow God wholeheartedly is to follow him faithfully over the long haul. It’s praying for your lost friend for years or even decades. It’s loving your “enemy” at work rather than jumping to another job. It’s working through the conflict with your spouse rather than heading to divorce court. The world needs more people like Caleb. Let’s follow God wholeheartedly.
Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church
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