We have been spending a few days in Hot Springs, Arkansas. A lot of our time has been spent hiking trails in the Hot Springs National Park. Some of the trails are flat and easy. But since this national park is in the mountains, some of the trails feature steep inclines. When you are at the bottom of the inclines you have two choices. You can choose to turn around and go back to comfort. Or you can summon some courage and start up the trail. Although I am pretty old, I chose to go up the inclines. I was rewarded with beautiful scenery.
Caleb was 85 years old when he spoke these words to Joshua, “I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me, my strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming. So now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the Lord said.”
Caleb had already survived 40 years of wandering in the wilderness with his people. Then he fought with them for 5 more years. Now he wanted land for his family. He chose the most difficult land. It was hill country filled with giant people in well fortified cities. But Caleb had God’s promise that the land would be his. Although Caleb was still strong, he trusted that God’s strength would fulfill the promise. When we face a mountain of trouble that seems impossible to summit, we should trust in God’s strength to get us over the top of our struggle. Let’s not turn back toward comfort from our trouble, but rather move up the mountain in the strength of God.
Reluctant Retiree 