Joshua 13 & 14

In this passage we come to 2 people who are reaching the end of their life, but have an attitude of a young person with the spirit for service.

We should chase the spirit of Caleb from chapter 14

I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. 12 Now give me this mountain

This passage is not so much about growing old, but growing up into God's purposes. God wants us to grow more like Christ as we grow older.

Growing into God's promises

As the land was being split between the tribes, the Israelites had to grow into God's promises and purposes for them.

Faithfulness in every season

Joshua had accomplished much in his life. Israel had been very successful in conquering the promised land. There was still work to do, but fundamentally the victory was won.

It's a new day, but it was the same God. Joshua's leadership was going into a new season but he still had the same God. There was more to do and it would be accomplished in a different way and his age would be a tool for him.

There is no age at which you are too old to serve God. Yet there is no one way of serving for everyone, or even an individual across their life. We must be faithful to God and serve Him in any way we are called to in each season of our life. The task of God is greater than any one individual, so we must build foundations and build legacies for those who will come after us.

The involvement of all God's people

It was time for God's people to grow up and take responsibility without a leader like Joshua. Each tribe had to claim it's own inheritance (that is what God had promised them). They were taking possession of the land that had already been given by God as a promise. They didn't earn it, but to possess it required obedience and love from Israel.

We also have an inheritance promised us - salvation and victory in Christ. Some of that lies ahead of us, yet we are called to possess the inheritance of our salvation today.

Our mission

For Israel to prosper, they all had their part to play. Our mission and inheritance is a community of all nations worshipping God. To possess that inheritance means to make that happen by sharing the same salvation and inheritance with others. We are to grow up and take responsibility in God's mission.

A devoted heart, no matter the age

In chapter 14, Caleb shows us as someone who moved forward under God's power rather than his own. He had a wholeheartedness in service to God, despite his “rough start” background.

Caleb remembered God's promise and because of his wholehearted belief in that he was ready to claim and possess his inheritance. He is a great example to us of someone who still bore fruit in his old age. His faithfulness and willingness allowed him to be used by God even in his old age. If we want to be “Caleb’s” when we are 85, we need to start now, wherever we are.

Having God with us allows us to welcome new challenges, even when we feel like we are too weak. We should pray for ourselves and others to be “Caleb's” who commit to God and go out with strength and courage, despite our physical weakness.

What inspires us to get in the game? The Caleb spirit of knowing the promises of God and living by them.