One of the greatest examples of waiting for God’s promises comes from the story of Caleb. When Caleb was forty years old, Moses sent him, Joshua, and ten other spies to the land of Canaan, a land that God had promised the Israelites. Caleb and Joshua returned with a report of a land filled with good things and confident of God’s promise that they could possess it. The other spies returned with terrifying reports of giants that caused the people to doubt God’s ability to give them the land He had promised them.
As a result of Caleb’s wholehearted trust in God, the Lord promised to give Caleb and his descendants the land where his feet had walked. As a result of the Israelites failure to believed God’s promise, an entire generation would perish before the next generation would be able to go in and possess the promised land. Caleb was kept alive during the 40 years that the unbelieving generation died off. He was 85 years old when he finally took possession of the land that was promised to him. The wait for God’s promise hadn’t left Caleb feeble and weak. Instead, God kept Caleb full of strength. At 85 years old, Caleb was still confident, strong, and ready for the next fight.
“And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years…and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. And yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war…”
– Joshua 14:10-11 (NKJV)
Many times we believe that if we are going to stand and believe God for His promises it will be a long, exhausting process that will leave us beat up and barely crossing the finish line of receiving that promise. But that’s not what God’s Word says. God promises to renew our strength as we wait on Him.
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
– Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)
In a world where things are moving faster and faster, it can be difficult to think about waiting. If you have a promise from God that you are waiting for, don’t become discouraged and impatient. Remember that God’s plans for you are timed perfectly. If you will trust God and wait for His timing, you will not weaken in the process. Be encouraged that God is renewing your strength as you wait! We can learn from Caleb’s story that when you put your faith in God, He will keep you strong physically, mentally, and emotionally. You’ll grow stronger, not weaker.
If you will trust God and wait for His timing, you will not weaken in the process.
Will you have to wait until you’re 85 like Caleb did? I highly doubt it. But, if you will be like Caleb and hold to God’s promise, you’ll possess the great things God has for you and you’ll be confident, strong, and ready for what’s next.
Be salt and light,
Miss Dawn
