Prayer Journal

Monday, November 17, 2003

It's a hard thing to be innocent, yet expected to quietly accept the consequences of someone else's misdeeds. Caleb and Joshua knew what God expected of them and they were willing to trust Him. But they paid a forty-year price tag of wandering through the desert until all those who refused to trust God had died off. Eventually, Joshua and Caleb along with their family wound up back at the place where they started. Their faith was rewarded and they experienced the evidence of things not seen. (Heb 11:1-2) There is no record of them ever complaining during the wandering in the desert, but now they were old - physically that is; still, both of them maintained the heart of a lion and enough faith to believe God's word and act on it.

Some use the word "faith" to describe a person's willingness to follow God wherever He leads. I like to think of it as, "acting on the revealed word of God." But stop and think about this: Wasn't it also faith that led Caleb and Joshua to willingly accept a forty year judgment levied by God on those who refused to trust Him? I think so!

Perhaps you've found yourself paying a price for someone else's indiscretion. If you're a parent, that might be a financial burden caused by your children. If you're a manager of employees, your boss might have held you responsible for the actions of others under your direction. I think we can all agree it's not easy accepting the consequences of another's actions, especially when we are trying to teach someone to do the right thing and they refuse to listen to instruction and follow directions.

Caleb is a good example of trusting God. After having experienced the consequences of the desert, he maintained his focus. Even though he spent the majority of his life thinking he would die with those who deserved it, he still trusted God to keep his promise. He still had dreams and aspirations and he was willing to put his life on the line to test God's grace; and he did it all with a good heart attitude. God honors faith like that.

Where are you in your wilderness journey? Are you at the beginning of your spiritual journey where you imagine you have the energy to fight all your own battles? Or are you in the middle of your life trying to balance the knowledge of God's word with a faith that seems to been "missing in action." Perhaps you find yourself in the twilight of your life, having spent it seemingly in pursuit of what now seems like fruitless ambition. Like Solomon, you say, "Everything is meaningless."

I have good news for you today. No matter how young you are, God can make you wise beyond your years and fight a lifetime of battles for you. If you are old, have hope. There is still time to believe God, trust Him to do what He said he would do.

Considering this perspective on faith, listen to Joshua's words as the "old" man stood on the threshold on enemy territory: "Be strong and very courageous. Do not be terrified, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Jos 1:9)

My faith will be no deeper than my willingness to trust God. Age or ability has nothing to do with it.

Just Thinkin...' WebWervant

Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

Copyright © 1998-2003 James R. Green and Prayertower Ministries
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