“None of the men who came up from Egypt, from twenty years old and above, shall see the land of which I swore to Abraham….because they have not wholly followed Me, except Caleb…and Joshua….”  Numbers 32:11-12

Godly men are the primary key to the family and to the church!  They are the leaders!  Leaders influence the direction of the church and the future course of faith in the people.  You can be a good leader, a man who walks by faith in God’s Word, or you can be a bad leader, one who walks by sight, guided by circumstances, fear and worldly wisdom.

Oswald Sanders in his book, Spiritual Leadership, said, “Spiritual leaders are not elected, appointed, or created by synods or church assemblies. God alone makes them.  One does not become a leader by merely filling an office, taking a course, or resolving to do the task.”

Caleb was an average guy, an ordinary man who God helped to do extraordinary things.  He stood out from the crowd because he was wholehearted for God despite being a minority of two against 2 million.  He took a stand with Joshua and in so doing, inspired his daughters to follow the Lord and inherit the blessing.

In Numbers 13, twelve spies were sent to spy out the land of Canaan.  Ten came back full of fear.  “We went to the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey, BUT…”v.27.  The inhabitants were strong, the cities were fortified and large, and most of all, the descendants of Anak (their enemies) were there.  All the people they saw were of great size.  They observed the Nephilim (giants) and felt like grasshoppers in comparison.  “Caleb quieted the people and said, ‘Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it,” v.30.  What was the difference between Caleb and the other spies?  Yes, there were difficulties and they were real, but they based their assessment on the size of the problem compared to their own abilities!  When Caleb compared the giants of the land with the Lord, there was no comparison.  How refreshing is the faithful man, the wholehearted man!

The people were so discouraged; they wanted to return to Egypt!  Leaders need to realize the goal of the enemy is complete defeat and giving up.  Your example of faith in the middle of the storm is critical!  Younger eyes are watching you!  What was the result for Caleb and his family?  “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,” Numbers 14:24.  Here is a promise not only to Caleb and his children, but to his children’s children!  We are all leaving a legacy, what kind are we leaving behind?

“Wholehearted” means some specific attitudes:

• Dependence – taking a stand when it hurts!
• Perseverance – hanging in there in tough times!
• Trusting God — trust wisdom and power of God
• Faith – trust God to keep His Word in all circumstances!

Wholehearted people trust God and His Word even when it doesn’t seem to make sense!

Your friend, Jean