A Different Spirit
OK, I know it’s been a long time since my last blog, but I know that it is time again to put my fingers to the keyboard.
This last week, in Monday night men’s discipleship, we were looking at one of my favorite Bible heroes — Caleb.
Before I type another word, I believe we must pause and reflect on the fact that so many times, we see mighty men or women in the Bible and forget that they were just like us. So many times, we see them in a different light. They served the same awesome and powerful God as we do. They were led and strengthened as we are. So why do we struggle to be as bold or courageous as them?
Why? Because they saw and believed in a mighty God that was for them, and they worshiped and loved the Lord with all their heart, and with all their soul, and with all their strength, and with all their mind.
If you have walked with the Lord for any time, you will recognize — or should recognize — those words: love, Lord, heart, soul, strength and mind. In the gospel of Luke 10:26-27, Jesus makes it clear; it was in the Law of Moses. But to us, Jesus made it clear that this was a new and most important command that all other commands hinged on. ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind.’ ” And He added in verse 28: “Do this and you will live.”
See, I believe that so many people and Christians don’t really know what living is because they are too busy serving themselves instead of serving God.
OK, let’s get back to Caleb. From the very beginning of his life, Caleb could have had a chip on his shoulder. Proverbs 22:1a reads, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches.” The name Caleb means “dog.” In our day, some might take that as a compliment or call a friend by that nickname. But in Caleb’s day, there were much better names to be had. Still, we will see that Caleb didn’t allow any curve ball to strike him out.
Caleb was an incredible man of God — a man who was sold out to the purposes of God.
We see him in Numbers 13 as one of the 12 chosen spies to investigate the land that God had promised to His people. I think it is important that we understand that these spies Moses chose were all leaders among their people. They are sent on a 40-day camping trip to investigate the land and the people who lived there. Story short, all the spies except Caleb saw the impossible instead of the possible. All the spies saw the land that was “flowing with milk and honey,” but they also saw a land filled with giants who could not be defeated. Only Caleb could see the possible — a promise fulfilled.
So what set Caleb apart from the others? Was it that he wasn’t afraid because he knew who went before him? Because he had seen the promise of God and didn’t want anything to do with old (Egypt)?
The answer is found in Numbers 14:24: “But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly.”
The word “spirit” has been translated to “attitude.” It was Caleb’s attitude that set him apart. It wasn’t the miracles that he and everyone else had seen in their exile out of Egypt. It was his attitude and his wholehearted living life for God.
How is your attitude?
God said this about Caleb just as the children of Israel were about to receive judgment for testing God 10 times and disobeying His voice. And God’s judgment was handed down: a 40-year term of wandering, a death sentence for all who were 20 or older — except for Joshua and Caleb.
Wow! Think about it: For 40 years, Caleb had to wander with those who were not wholehearted and devoted to God. He had to bury a lot of bodies of those who had brought this judgment upon them. However, Caleb had a different attitude.
Not once is it recorded in the Bible about him complaining — even when he buried those who had caused his grief. We only see his obedient, wholehearted walk with his Lord.
Then in Joshua 14:7-14, after more than 40 years and at age 85, Caleb receives his reward. And again, God makes this statement about him: “It was because he wholly followed Me.”
Lord, empower me by Your Holy Spirit to have the right attitude. God, give us the strength to serve You wholly, with our whole heart, soul, strength and mind. Give us the strength and grace to live like Caleb when it seems our world is wandering in the wilderness, when it seems that not many are serving You. Let us find favor and step into our inheritance because it is said by You, “But because my servant has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly.” “Well done, good and faithful servant. Thou hast been faithful over a few things; I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:23).
So today, I’ll take the advice from the Apostle Paul that he was inspired to write in Romans 15:4: “Whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”
Remember, we are in this together.
–Pastor Dave