I love to read the stories about Caleb in the Bible because of his faith in GOD and the great things GOD did through him. He must have had great parents, who trained Him up in the way he should go (Prov 22:6) even though they lived in bondage. His faith set him apart from the rest of GOD’s people. Yes, he witnessed GOD delivering His people from Egypt; he watched as the sea parted for the Children of Israel and then drowned Pharaoh’s army. He was one of many who saw these miracles, but GOD saw he was different from the others.
GOD brought His people to the Promised Land and told them to take it, so Moses sent men to spy out the land and report what they saw (Num 13). With so many men to choose from, Caleb and Joshua were among those selected. All twelve men went to the same places and saw the same things, but only Caleb and Joshua believed they could take the land. The other ten had witnessed GOD’s power, but were still afraid. They too had experienced GOD’s deliverance and provision and yet they doubted Him now. They not only were afraid, they made others afraid.
The people couldn’t enter into GOD’s promise because of their unbelief. He sent them on a journey that no one over twenty would survive, except Caleb and Joshua (Num 14). Joshua was chosen to lead the people into the Promised Land and Caleb was given a mountain that he had to take from the enemy. He was 40 years older but Caleb said “I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me…give me this mountain…the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out” (Josh 14:11-12 KJV). Caleb still had his strength, but his faith was in the LORD!
I know another Caleb, who has been trained up in the way he should go, with amazing results. He attends Agape Christian Academy and received three 1st place awards in Regional School Competitions, including preaching, and Bible memorization and his short story placed 3rd at Internationals last year. As an usher in our Church, he is respectful, kind, and compassionate. While other kids have to be pushed to attend Church, he arrives early to help out.
Caleb is a normal Texas teenager who likes horses, guns and computer games. He complains about his sisters, but would fight to protect them. I love for my grandchildren to hang out with Caleb, because he is such a positive influence. Yes, his father is a Pastor, Youth Leader and Christian School Principle and his mother is a Teacher and deeply involved in ministry, but that doesn’t explain why Caleb is such a fine young man. At some point Caleb believed in and accepted JESUS as his Savior. His faith allowed GOD to use and bless him as he yielded his heart and life to JESUS. I look forward to seeing what GOD has in store for Caleb Middleton.
“God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). When you believe, you get more than eternal life. You too can be one of the faithful ones GOD calls to do great things!
Wayne Lance (2019)