The broader narrative of Joshua is about God fulfilling His promises to the nation of Israel, as they progressively inherit Canaan. Within this narrative are accounts that show us how God specifically fulfilled His promises in the individual lives of His people, such as Caleb.
Of the twelves spies, Caleb and Joshua were the only ones who believed God could give them the land of Canaan. God guaranteed Caleb an inheritance in the land of promise because “he followed the LORD, the God of Israel, completely” (Joshua 14:14). Forty years later, an eighty-five-year-old Caleb still displayed an unshakeable faith.
When we read Caleb’s story, we might be tempted to feel insecure about our own faith in God. Our faith journeys include times when we have trusted God fully. Other times, we may have questioned the reality of His presence in our situations. To follow God completely doesn’t mean that we don’t have days of doubt. Instead, we rely on the Holy Spirit to help us push through those days, carrying all of our anxieties and doubts to the Lord. At the heart of Caleb’s faith was trust in the faithfulness of the one who had been with him all those years before, when he went into the promised land as a spy.
Following God completely also means we can ask God to carry out His promises to us. When the time came to distribute the land, Caleb reminded Joshua of the Lord’s promise to him, saying, “‘The land where you have set foot will be an inheritance for you and your descendants forever’” (Joshua 14:9). Caleb didn’t come to Joshua in arrogance or with a sense of entitlement. He came with confidence, trusting that the Lord would give him the land and help him, even believing that he could drive out the current inhabitants, who were giants! This belief wasn’t based on his strength but on total confidence in the Lord’s strength. When we rely on God’s power, we are able to do things we could hardly imagine and gain physical, emotional, and physical victories. Through Caleb, we see that nothing is impossible for God.
Caleb’s story is a beautiful picture of a faithful God honoring the faithfulness of His people. It shows us that God keeps His word, no matter how many years have passed. Forty years after God promised Caleb the land, Caleb received his inheritance, and the land remained in his possession: “Hebron still belongs to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite as an inheritance today” (Joshua 14:14).
What does our story look like? What promises are we waiting for God to fulfill? As we serve Him and wait for His promises, our charge is to follow Him and trust that He will fulfill His promises in His time, according to His will (Romans 11:34). His presence is with us always, and He has good things in store for us.
Leave a Reply
62 thoughts on "Caleb’s Loyalty to God"
Thanks I need this I fell God, but he never has fell me
Hi Paula,
Paula, I have a brother that went through this same struggle. He actually totally renounced his faith and also says he feels like a women…
I think there is a MAJOR typo- “When we rely on God’s power, we are able to do things we could hardly imagine and gain physical, emotional, and physical victories.” Was “physical” REALLY meant to be REPEATED TWICE?
My family and I have been in a long season of waiting. We have served faithfully for 14 years as missionaries in the U.S. We knew the current location we were at was a 3yr stay and that time came April 1st. We bought a home in anticipation of our next chapter..We have two teenagers that we are ready to pour our time into. We sit and wait…We are still currently serving and waiting for our replacements. Praying daily that a couple who loves children and wants to serve with the Kingdom in mind relives us of our position. We are learning to be still on the Lord but remember just like Caleb he will provide.
I’m also behind in my readings but it’s all perfect in Gods timing. I liked the author stating following God completely does not mean we do not have doubt. We rely on the Holy Spirit during this time. So much going on in my life. I took all my kids to church and they grew up in the faith but my oldest has pretty much renounced his faith. He said that we indoctrinated him with our beliefs. Anyway I know God said to train up a child the way he should go and I am hoping so badly he eventually comes back. He has no contact with us and is having gender issues now. The whole world seems so lost. All I can do is lean on God.
I’m a week behind in reading these devotionals, but I am amazed by God’s timing and how He has spoken so directly to me through this one specifically. I am expecting a baby any day now, and last night, anxiety over everything that could go wrong took hold. But Caleb’s story was a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness to me throughout this whole journey. It reminded me of how God called me to motherhood nearly three years ago and of the season of waiting He’d prepared for my husband and me. It reminded me of the encouragement He sent to persevere when I was ready to give up on His plans for us. And this morning, I desperately needed the reminder that “When we rely on God’s power, we are able to do things we could hardly imagine and gain physical and emotional victories” as we prepare to meet our little girl very soon. Praise God for His unfailing faithfulness and His perfect timing. He is so, so good.
In today’s supporting passage in Numbers, I had often wondered about God saying basically “I’m done” and then Moses “talking Him down”. But this morning it hit me that God is allowing us to see His heart in this. The grumbling of the Israelites had to be addressed. God knew Moses was His servant and he knew what he would say. And basically his response is our explanation for why God didn’t wipe the Israelites out like He proposed. But if God had not addressed the issue and we hadn’t been given Moses’ requests and reasoning of the ultimate outcome we may not have understood a particular aspect of the nature of God. I may not be explaining this thought as well as I should because I think I am still forming my thoughts on it but it really stood out to me today as a truth I need to think more on.
Also, thank you to all the teachers and others who go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives around them each day! Praying I can do more of this myself. Give me your eyes and heart, Lord!
Thank you for that explanation! I was wondering why God (the almighty and omniscient God) would need to even have this conversation with Moses, but it makes sense now!
Caleb is such an inspiration….. he willingly asked for the land of the giants/philistines… has not been conquered…. the guy was old but still wanted to fight for God :) He could of picked a peaceful part of the land already conquered but he wanted the hardest/scariest part :) Caleb had a great faith in God and I hope I can be the same way instead of fickle …. :)
♥️ Caleb’s character which was developed through perseverance. May we persevere in the strength of the Lord!
God you are slow to anger, abounding in love, and merciful to forgive. You are with me always! When I am confused, you have a plan and know what is best for me
God is faithful. God never leaves us. God keeps His promises. God is alive! God loves us all. God gave so that we can be free! ❤️
♥️✨
@KylieK here’s some encouragement: James 5: 13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
“When we read Caleb’s story, we might be tempted to feel insecure about our own faith in God.” This is so true. It’s so easy to judge ourselves only through the lens of our moments of lowest faith, but faith is a journey. How encouraging to be reminded that my days of doubt don’t nullify the moments in which I’ve trusted Him completely.
“What promise am I waiting for God to fulfill?” Is an excellent question. I’ve been waiting for physical healing for a while now. I wonder… is this even a promise I’m waiting to be fulfilled? Will I ever see physical healing this side of eternity? I’m not sure God ever promises physical well being on earth. Pressing into Him and trusting He CAN heal me, but also wondering if this is something he has promised to do…?
Thank you❤️
This story is another beautiful reminder that we can not rush Gods perfect timing. Patience is a virtue, and if we can exercise that virtue, we will receive our inheritance/blessing as well! So much easier said than done tho! I pray we will all remain faithful no matter the circumstances or wait time.
“God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” Numbers 23:19 (ESV)
I find God’s use of his war hammer perplexing, distressing, and all together inconsistent of Jesus’ Way. But what I gain from this reading of Joshua is that from the righteous, anger is not punishment, but the establishment of boundaries. The very tone of this scripture breathes a different condition of humanity’s moral purpose. Obedience and service are important attributes, but only when founded on humility. How often have good deeds been ransacked because the appearance of the effect? Did not Jesus point to the poor old widow and her two pennies? To me, she is more of a warrior than Joshua. The tradition of Judaism has always been to question, to ask, and to reorient one’s perspective. In this scripture, it is fair to question God’s decisions, because we are human beings, and pondering such things is in our nature. He may always be Right in our minds, but we as a community must understand “why” with our hearts.
God is not a tribal war deity, one among many, or first among equals.
The lesson of the poor widow and her two pennies cannot be compared to that of the warrior Joshua because their purposes are completely different. Yes, to the modern, ‘humanitarian’ sensibilities, the “war hammer” of God on display in the Joshua account is hard to read; but this is because the account leaves out alot of background information. Understanding why the Canaanites, Hittites, Jebusites, etc., needed to be wiped out requires understanding the concepts and laws if purity versus impurity, idolatry, sexual deviances, and so on—all of which these peoples were grossly guilty of and would never repent of. These societies were abhorrent to God. These concepts are not well delineated in the New Testament, so we don’t evaluate things the same way as God does.
Thankful for the Heroes of faith that went before us to show us how their lives pan out. Two looked through the lenses of faith, and 10 rejected the good plan God, out of fear for “giants”. Life is short. The courses of Caleb’s life were described in just a few passages. If that was the case about my life, what would that chapter mention? I honestly do NOT want to be recorded as the one who murmurs against God, or against His chosen leaders, or the one who says “let us return to our old ways, back to Egypt”, definitely not as the one who tested God 10 times and did not obey. But let me be honest, I have been there and done all that to God. But thanks to God’s merciful grace that I am still here, continuing my journey. In that day, many books in Heaven will be opened (Revelation 20:12), I pray that mine and yours will say “[_____] (fill in your name here) has a DIFFERENT SPIRIT, and [_____] has remained loyal to God and followed God completely”- just like how Caleb’s account was recorded in Joshua 14. May we keep the faith and finish strong.
@ Angie: praying for you and your students. May God protect the little ones and keep them safe from ALL evil. You are His chosen shepherd for these little ones. I will intercede with you and many others in prayers for protection over these innocent children. The prayers of the righteous avail much. May God bless and strengthen you 10 times more in order to face and DEFEAT the “giants” in your circumstances. Cheering for you Angie!
@ Taylor: praying for a good job to come your way. All the best with your interview! :-)
Caleb’s faith and patience is truly inspiring. I definitely struggle with patience even on small things and yet he waited 45 years for God to fulfill His promise. I pray I can have a sliver of his faith and trust in God to provide and fulfill what He has promised me even if it doesn’t look like I have pictured or thought on my own.
Even if I don’t know you all personally, your comments are such a big encouragement and reminder to me. I love reading all your thoughts and reflections. I’m so blessed and thankful for this community. Thank you Lord for SRT and the people here.❤️
As for the reading, it was encouraging to read about God and Caleb’s faithfulness to each other. I am also tickled whenever I read Moses giving God a little pep talk about not destroying the Israelites. I haven’t made the best decisions in the past and my marriage was on the verge of falling apart because of those decisions, and at times, I wonder if I am still worthy of God’s faithfulness after all of my wandering from Him and His ways. I want to keep perusing Him and trust that He will still fulfill his promises to me and he will continue to restore me and my marriage.
My heart is heavy for you and your student(s), but I am so encouraged by the example of God’s love that you are for them. God bless you and keep you, and all your littles that come through your classroom. I pray that your heart be strengthened and encouraged by Him. Thank you for sharing.
@Angie as I sit here in my cohort of 3rd-4th graders (teachers/staff children) I’m praying for you. I too have had similar experiences with students that my Heart goes out to wishing I could make it better but bring it before the Lord. I pray for them. Even the difficult ones. My heart has ached for some of these little munchkins especially for one in particular who no longer comes here and I am concerned.
Today, I pray for leaders and people who are faithful in the midst of evil congregations. Caleb and Joshua had such faith to speak life over Israel, as they continued in unbelief. I pray we as a church can remain in fear of God rather than man, in the face of adversity. God, thank You for Your word. Thank you for protecting Joshua and Caleb, when they spoke against Israel and tried to direct them. May we continue to see Your faithfulness in our day & age. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
❤️
Angie and all the teachers… Thank you for believing God’s promises for our children. My son is one you fight for every day, believing in who he is, not just seeing his behavior. I know many times you have to fight against giants on behalf of the kids but you aren’t alone! May I say on behalf of the parents who can’t… Thank you!
I’ve read the story of Caleb before but it has completely jumped out at me in a new way, thank you Jesus for opening my eyes to a new perspective!! Caleb was faithful and even in his obedience he was in a season of waiting for 40 years….40 years!! BUT GOD, who is ever faithful, kept his promises true to Caleb and blessed him with the land. In an age where instant gratification is something this world says we should want let me not conform to this world. Let me hold true to the promises that God has for me, remaining faithful in Him and staying anchored in seasons of waiting. I love what you said @Angie about how in the season of waiting Caleb did not let bitterness take over his heart. Numbers 24 – “But since my servant Caleb has a different spirit and has followed me completely, I will bring him into the land where he has gone, and his descendants will inherit it.” Praying this morning for my heart and to renew a steadfast spirit within me – help me, O Lord to shine a different spirit and to reflect you to those around me. Happy Wednesday sisters!!
TAYLOR, praying God gives you discernment/direction as you go into this appointment today. God bless!!!
This is such a heart/ faith strengthening post! It seems the older I get, the bigger the giants and I can only repeat the prayer of many of you that I remain strong against those giants with God by my side.
HEIDI, I love your insights on schooling! What a good word today.
TEACHERS, you are in the right place to give hope to our future adults and live the example of faith before them. God bless and strenghthen you as you soldier through each day!!!
Our church participates in a student mentoring program for which my husband and I signed up last year. I was so excited for that opportunity, but the principal at the school our church sponsors kept delaying the placement. My son is asst. principal at another school and offered to set us up there instead and then Covid happened. I don’t know at this point if that opportunity remains open. I am still willing if it is. Have a glorious and blessed day!!!
What a great story and role model in today’s devotion! So many good truths to glean from today’s passages. I love seeing Scripture unfold like this in the Bible with the promise in Numbers 14 to it’s fulfillment in Joshua 14. Also I will be singing the song “Do It Again” in my heart as someone mentioned in the comments :) “I’ve seen you move, you move the mountains, and I believe, I’ll see you do it again!”
Also ladies can you please pray for me? I have my first job interview today for a job that’s not necessarily my dream job in my dream location, and it’s an 18-month contract so I wouldn’t be able to leave after 6 months if I wasn’t enjoying it. I remember some ladies who read these posts were also OTs so any advice for navigating offers as a new grad would be helpful! This is currently the only employer I’ve heard back from and I’ve applied to over 20 places. May the Lord’s will be done!
@angela – good word about Caleb. I had a similar thought.
Caleb still had to wait for his promise (45 years of waiting!) all because the OTHER people with him didn’t have faith. Caleb did everything “right” and he still had to wander the wilderness with the rest of the group because of their disobedience and faithlessness. That is so tough!
Caleb remained faithful. He didn’t feel entitled and angry and feel like a victim. Lord help us all to not become bitter in our waiting!
I woke up at 5:15 AM and seconds later I received a text from my friend Gretchen saying I was going to love this devotional. And of course I do! It’s going to be marked as one of my favorites. My son was named Caleb for this very reason. For this very incredible story. I enjoyed reading it again as it brings out more than when I read it the first time. Caleb stayed faithful when others did not and he did not demand his inheritance. I especially like the part that he was 85 years old and still strong. His faith did not waver. And that is my prayer for my son as he faces different trials and disappointments and the unexpected that he would remain faithful to our true God. There’s no place I’d rather be than here with Jesus. I trust no one else but our Lord God Jesus!
@Jessica Adams My son’s name is Caleb for the very same reason. He is now almost 20 years old. And he loves Jesus!❤️
Caleb followed the Lord faithfully, even when he had to wander in the wilderness with the rest of the Israelites for 40 years. He was one of the only ones who believed that God was going to keep His Word and yet he still had to wait. He could have allowed that to make him bitter, but clearly, he truly did trust in God whole heartedly and knew he would see his inheritance and so, remained faithful. Would I have done the same? Or would I have allowed frustration and bitterness take over and blame everyone else for my own misery? I can see areas of my life where this is the choice I’m faced with. Choose to keep trusting God and forge ahead, or get stuck in my own “poor me” mood. Lord, open my eyes to see beyond just the moment I’m in, and to see your greater picture. May my life be one that is marked by faithfulness. God you are so faithful!
This is off topic, but I would love to hear any advice any SRT teachers have on here. I am considering pursuing a Masters in Teaching for Elementary Education, and would love any advice you all may have about the career. :)
Beautifully written and expressed. As a middle school teacher, I totally feel what you expressed about your students and helping them. Usually by middle school stage, it’s more about helping the students cope and/or teach them how to advocate for themselves especially when they get to high school. It’s heartbreaking sometimes. My favorite part about out what you said was that Caleb at 85 years old was still willing to conquer giants in the name of the Lord ♥️
Angie, thank you for sharing. I too am a teacher and am so encouraged by your post and prayer.
Thank you for your post. I am a public school teacher and I echo your sentiments. I work each day to pull back the veil to my own child about what this world really looks like. This is the only way real healing come.
I like the reminder that we can go to God in confidence about the things He has promised us. ❤
Angie, I’m praying for you against discouragement. Your students are blessed to have a teacher who sees beyond the circumstances to the heart of the matter, & deals with the situation with compassion & grace. Praise be to God.
Angie- thank you for sharing! I, too, am a 3rd grade teacher and it can be so rewarding and hard! I appreciate your comment that you pray that you can keep teaching as long as you make a difference. I pray that daily, as well. I feel like the classroom is definitely my mission field. You have encouraged me to also start to pray to be like Caleb- “as strong as my younger years, still faithfully willing to march out in the victory of my Lord against whatever giants are in the territory You gave me.” ❤️
ANGIE (and ALL other TEACHERS reading this!!)
Thank you for your service to God’s children who are surrounded daily by others who do not have His light or direction leading their actions.
I am (and I’m sure hundreds more are on SRT) a mom of 2, eventually 3, children being taught in the public school system. There are pros and cons but to get to the gist of my comment- THANK YOU for being there with our children. I pray every summer, throughout the summer, God will provide a teacher and at least a couple of friends in my children’s new class who are followers of you. Friends that can help come and support, Teachers that look each day at their class of children as an opportunity to share a Love for them that is relentless, forgiving, compassionate, sacrificial, and unforgettable. If every follower of Christ only surrounds themselves in arenas with OTHER followers, what encouragement and hope is there for those in public/secular settings?? Hope and encouragement for the young Believers trying to grow their faith, as well as for those who have yet to learn there IS a faith and Hope which to belong.
Thank you. This isn’t an anti-private school post, please please know that. I am a product of a life of private school and it was wonderful for me. But in this day, we personally felt our children were being raised daily in a world that misrepresented the world God has placed them in to serve. From unrecognized systemic racism and unintended elitist foundations, to ignorance that THIS little world they are in 8a-3p, M-F in any way represents the majority of the people in this world, was evident to us by the time our oldest was finishing her 3rd year in private school. It was then we decided we would pull both and place them in public. We (parents of young believers in public schools) NEED you teachers. We need other young believers and Christ-following families!! We decided the mission field starts now for them- as well as an additional education in the diversity of culture and socioeconomic makeup of those around them. But it is so difficult to do alone as parents. YOU are who we allow to influence and breathe into our children almost 35 hours a week. Thank you. Praying our Lord’s blessings and encouragement and peace and insight into your hearts and minds today!! ❤️❤️❤️
May our faith be as unwavering as Caleb’s!
I love this! Yes!
@Angie
Your story brought tears to my eyes. What a warrior you are. You are surely bringing the Light to your students as you enter the classroom everyday. May God provide you all that you need today.
Lately, I have been doing some subbing as a para for a student with behavior issues. Working with him has challenged me to persevere regardless of the circumstances. The team around me helps me know how to handle his frustration. Yesterday, I was left wondering whether I was making any difference showing up several days a week. He doesn’t trust many adults, and it breaks my heart to see him put up his walls. My heart remains so soft for the broken young people I’ve supported in this role. May God grant me faith that He can defeat the giants that seem indestructible. And provide me overwhelming love to see these children as He sees them.
As I read about Caleb I have the praise song “Do It Again” in my head. I don’t think he was done seeing God work. He saw the plagues of Egypt, the Red Sea parting, manna, quail, Jordan River, Jericho, countless cities defeated by God. He had seen enough for a dozen lifetimes and yet he wanted more! He knew God could do it again. He could have relaxed, but he was still excited to see what God would do next!
LOVE Joshua 14:14 – may I follow the Lord Completely! Such a beautiful example of faithfulness.
Caleb’s story is just the one I needed this morning. Joshua 14:10-12 refreshes my soul. Caleb, who stood with Joshua for God, has remained faithful. Forty-five years later he is still strong and capable, in the power and strength of the Lord. His passion, obedience, and trust in the One True God remains as strong as ever. Thank you Lord.
My day in the classroom yesterday was extremely heart-heavy. I love my students. Many of them come from difficult situations. There are things you find out from 8-9 year olds that break your heart. Sometimes you can help. Sometimes you try, but your hands are tied unless a parent allows it. And sometimes, like yesterday, bad stuff happens and all you can do is help pick up the pieces. My heart absolutely broke with yesterday’s circumstance. But afterward (although there is more to handle today) one of the little girls came up to me and said, “Thank you for helping us make it better.” I recognize it wasn’t me, that God allowed my heart to be broken to the depths for my little ones and the situation. He put the pressure on my spirit and soul to follow-up as difficult as it was. Sometimes I wonder if it is time to retire. It is always my prayer that I will teach as long as it is the Lord’s calling on my life and that I continue to make a difference in lives of children for Him in my public school classroom. Days like yesterday are so hard and are happening more and more every year. But Caleb is such a blessed role model. As strong at 85 as he was at 40. Still ready and willing to conquer giants in the name of the Lord. Thank you Father. Thank you so very much for your confirmation for today and the opportunity to serve you in the calling I believe You have on my life. May I be like Caleb, as strong as my younger years, still faithfully willing to march out in the victory of my Lord against whatever giants are in the territory You give me. All the glory, all the honor, all the power they are Yours alone my God and my King.
A an Maura, Amen
We named our son Caleb after I heard a sermon about he and Joshua while I was pregnant. I wanted my child to have an even stronger faith than I did, so I thought I’d start him on the right track with a name and legacy of following God whole heartedly. :) Nine years later, I can’t wait to see what God has in store for him!
HEATHER – Praise the Lord for your good results!!!
Yes!
Amen
Caleb is a worthy role model. He’s known for giving “an honest report.” Don’t we need more honesty in our day and age? Caleb is also known for following the Lord God “completely.” He was not a fair weather fan. He was devoted, faithful, and determined. At 85 years old, he didn’t seek a sleepy village with plush pasture land to spend his retirement years. No, he asked for the hill country where giants lived and there were large fortified cities to conquer. Caleb wasn’t about to take it easy. He had a purpose yet to fulfill. He didn’t rely on himself: “Perhaps the Lord will be with me and I will drive them out as the Lord promised.” Let’s contemplate the character qualities of Caleb. He’s not a mere footnote in the conquering of Canaan. Caleb was a whole-hearted man of God. To the end of his days. May we be found as faithful.
I am so struck by Caleb’s faith and confidence in God this morning. May we remain faithful when its hard, see the goodness of God and witness him fulfilling his promises to us
Well Amen to this. I am glad that they rested from war. May the war in our souls find rest in Him as well.
Indeed, He has good things in store for us for He is faithful and grace full.
vs. 36 “For from him and through him
and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever. Amen”
Forever and ever. Good morning sisters, Let our songs of praise to our King, ring out all over this world and echo together. ❤️