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Caleb Followed the Lord Fully
(From Mark Copeland)
Introduction:
·
Most will recall the story of the twelve spies sent to spy out the
land of Canaan. (Numbers
13:1-2)
They spent forty days travelling through the land.
·
They brought back both good news and bad
news. Good: (Numbers
13:27)
Bad: (Numbers
13:28)
·
Caleb, one of the twelve spies, tried to encourage the people.
(Numbers
13:30)
But ten spies with their discouraging report caused the people to
groan and weep. (Numbers
13:31-14:4)
·
Caleb and Joshua knew they could take the land with the
Lord’s help. (Numbers
14:6-9)
·
The people didn’t believe Caleb and Joshua; so they spent forty
years wandering in the wilderness. (Numbers
14:28-37)
·
Caleb and Joshua were spared. (Numbers
14:38)
·
The Lord said that Caleb was spared because he followed the Lord
fully. (Numbers
14:24)
He followed God’s lead wholeheartedly. Similar statements were made
about him at later times. (Numbers
32:11-12,
Deuteronomy 1:36,
Joshua 14:8-9, 14)
He obeyed God completely.
Body: What Does It Mean to Follow the Lord Fully?
I.
To Follow the Lord All Our Days
-
Caleb followed Him in the wilderness and was still following
forty-five years later. (Joshua
14:8-10)
-
Many have not. They follow for a while and then turn away. (Galatians
1:6)
See also
James 5:19-20.
-
Be faithful and follow the Lord until death. (Revelation
2:10)
We are able to do this by keeping our eye on Jesus.
(Hebrews
12:1-4)
II.
To Follow the Lord With Our Whole Heart
-
Note Christ’s response to the lawyer’s question.
(Matthew
22:35-38)
This represents the whole person in every aspect. It is the
idea of total devotion
-
We cannot let things of the world detract us.
-
King Solomon (I
Kings 11:4)
Human relationships influence what we do and how we live.
-
Being
friends with the world will lead us from God. (James
4:4,
I John 2:15-17)
-
Caleb made the decision to follow Jehovah with all his heart.
III.
To Follow the Lord Despite the Hardships
-
Caleb followed Jehovah knowing there were giants in the land. (Numbers
13:32-33)
He was willing to face the anger of his own brethren. (Numbers
14:10)
-
Many
Christians today will only follow Christ when it’s easy or
convenient. (John
6:60-61, 66-68)
But notice
Matthew 5:10-12.
Conclusion:
Caleb chose to follow God fully. As a result, he was allowed to
enter Canaan, receive land as an inheritance, and his land had rest
from war. A great reward awaits those who follow the Lord fully.
Bobby Stafford
February 17, 2013
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