“Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance.  So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly.” (Joshua 14:13-14)

This week the life of Caleb dominated my mind.  I preached about him and learned a good deal from his life.  Please allow me to share what I learned with you.

He Followed the Lord Persistently

The same thing that was said about Caleb when he was forty was also said about him when he was eighty: He wholly followed the Lord.  Pressures and persecution came into his life, but he was a man of consistency and persistence.  Think of the Jews in John 6:66 who turned back and no longer followed Jesus.  Think of the Galatians; Paul said, “You were running a good race.  Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?” (Galatians 5:7);  So do not give up in following Him and His vision.

He Followed the Lord Sincerely

Caleb followed the Lord not only persistently but also sincerely, from the heart.  Following sincerely means not being a hypocrite, not being an outward Christian only.  Everyone was against Caleb and Joshua.  They endured insults and jeers.  Yet, Caleb could do nothing else because his heart was sincere before God.  The people of Israel  were determined to cling to their unbelief, and Caleb reproached them because he sincerely followed the Lord.  No matter what the majority says, Caleb’s whole aim was to follow the Lord sincerely.

He Followed the Lord Indivisibly

Caleb followed the Lord not only with a sincere heart but also with all his heart.  Some people pick and choose what they want to do of God’s will.  We may be very consistent in certain areas.   Perhaps we are conservative Sabbath-keepers but neglect daily family worship.   In certain areas we might think,  “I know that this or that is wrong but you can’t be perfect.  I think God will have mercy on me.”  But Caleb didn’t excuse himself like that but followed the Lord in every area of his life.

He Followed the Lord Exclusively

Caleb did not get tempted to follow someone or some example but he followed the Lord exclusively.  Following God must be the preeminent pursuit of our lives.  We must have no other goal in mind, no other desire in mind.  Our entire being must be caught up with this burning passion to walk in God’s ways and His vision.

Prayer

Dear Lord, help me to follow you persistently, sincerely, indivisibly, and exclusively in every trial and troubles that come on my way.  Amen

Praises & Prayer Needs

• We were able to dedicate a place in Velauthapuram near Rajapalayam for building God’s house.
• The Bible college has now 115 students from many parts of India and Myanmar.  Praise God for the opportunity we have to train these ones to be sent out to win people of India.  Recent report says that India will beat China in population in another forty years.
• Pray for our financial support to meet our needs every month.  We are going through difficult time every month.
• Praise God for the one Chokkalingam whom I led to the Lord in 1978. He is doing tremendous ministry in Thoppur area which I came to know just three days ago when he called me.  God bless you.