Give Me This Mountain

by Gerald Elliott

From The Reminder, January 22, 2012

“Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the LORD spoke 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” (Joshua 14:12)

All too often, we encounter people who seem to have given up the adventure of life.  Over the years there will be many things that keep us from full participation in all the activities we might enjoy: illness, other obligations, financial limitations…more often, what keeps us out of life, is ourselves.  We simply do not fully engage.

Caleb of ancient Israel reached out to take all that life offered.  At 85, he was ready to tackle a new mountain, literally, along with all the obstacles that came with it.  Caleb illustrates for us a zest for life and readiness to take on new adventures.  Caleb illustrates faithfulness to God throughout his life.  He was one of the two spies who believed Israel would be able to take the Land of Canaan.  The other ten were fearful, persuading all Israel they were too weak to take possession of what God had promised them.  That disbelieving generation died in the wilderness, a new generation now took what was promised.  Only Joshua and Caleb, the two faithful spies remained from the previous generation.  Caleb claimed what had been promised…”give me this mountain.”

Caleb is an example of faithful service, never stopping.  He did not say, “my kids and grandkids can handle it all now, I am just going to sit down over here.”  He stayed engaged, he stayed active, he stayed faithful to the Lord’s will.  One day we may not be able to teach the Bible class, cut as long as we are able, we should be willing.  One day we may not be able to make the visits, but faith should keep us active while we have the ability.