Lord Give Me My Mountain

I know, it seems like I’m on a mountain based theme with this blog. Yes I am facing a mountain of ginormous proportions at this particular time in my life but it really isn’t what this whole blog is going to be about. These first blogs are from notes on different Bible studies or sermons of mine over the years, they’ve been shortened for this venue.

There is a story in the Bible that has always intrigued me. I think of this Old Testament story every time I get discouraged or feel too old or too tired or my bones hurt too much for me to carry out plans that have an effect on my future. There are so many factors about this story that it seems to refute every single excuse I can come up with for not doing something or for being discouraged.

The story takes place after the Israelites have wandered around for 40 years in the wilderness. By the way, it was a journey that if they ha

d gone on the straight route would have only taken them about 30 or so days.

But think of it, 40 years, that means there were people who were born and for a good portion of their lives, if they didn’t die early, they knew nothing but the wilderness as their home. They never knew what it was like to live in a permanent dwelling or to be in one place for all of their lives. But that isn’t the story that I’m referring to, the one I’m talking about happens AFTER the wandering.

You all know what happened to Moses. He went through all that wandering, climbing mountains and communing with God and did not get to cross into Canaan. The reason was the people got on his last nerve and he struck the rock instead of keeping his patience and telling them what God wanted them to know. But I’m not even talking about that story.

The story that keeps running in my mind these days is one after all those other famous stories. No movies have ever been made about this story but it is probably the best story there is to help you realize that it’s never too late, God’s word is reliable and be patient and trust God.

While all the wandering was taking place, the leaders were planning ahead. They may have started out with a certain number of peo

ple but they were wise enough to know that land had to be divided among the tribes. If you want to know the details of how the land was divided you can start at Joshua 13.

The story that has been on my mind happens in Joshua 14, beginning at verse 6. Caleb goes to Joshua and requests the land that was promised to him. Now that in itself does not seem like a remarkable thing, but read it and then think about it. (Joshua 14:6-15)

Caleb was a delegate from the tribe of Judah. He went to Joshua and says, (and I’m paraphrasing) Hey, remember back when we were with Moses and God told Moses about you and me?

I thought it was interesting that Caleb qualifies his approaching Joshua. I began to wonder; why would he start out that way. Then it occurred to me that he probably wanted Joshua to know that he wasn’t just coming out of left field somewhere. He wanted him to know that he had a very valid reason for coming to him at a time when he was probably really busy. He wanted him to know that he was coming to him about what God had promised him back then.

Then what he says next is really intrigued me. He says, I was 40 when Moses sent me out to scout out Canaan.

So I’m now thinking, they had to be somewhere really close if Moses sent out scouts. He actually sent Caleb and his brothers. The Bible says of the scouts, Caleb was the only one that came back and told the truth, following what God told him to say. The others came back and, as sometimes people are known to do, gave a report of how there was no way they could get that land and they scared everybody from entering the land.

That is when Moses promised that land to Caleb and his descendants. Because he was the only one to do and say what God told him to do and say. So they wandered some more and they continued to wander even more. Afraid to go into the land because of what they heard. (There’s another whole sermon on that point right there)

Okay this is the part that all of this is about for me. Verses 10 – 15. Caleb reveals that he is now 85 years old. Yep, 85 years old. He says he is just as strong and can fight just as well as he could 45 years ago when he was sent to scout out that land.

The land is still occupied by people (descendants of Anak – giants) that need to be cleared out before Caleb can possess it. It is mountainous land. These people live in great walled towns. (plural).

Now whether Caleb felt like he did 45 years earlier or just thought he did, it didn’t matter. He believed God when He told him that he would possess that land and the He would help him conquer that land. He held on to that promise for 45 years in what had to be really frustrating times.

He was right there, the land was right there, just out of his reach. He knew it was his land but he didn’t get all impatient and run over there and try to take it. He waited and believed for 45 years. Then when the time was right and land was being divided, he went and he asked for his land. He still believed the Lord was going to go with him into the land that was his.

He went to Joshua and said, give me my mountain, at 85 years old.

I think about how impatient I get just waiting for my dinner to finish cooking 6 minutes in the microwave cause I’m tired and achy and want to lay down.

See what I’m talking about? There was nothing remarkable about Caleb or anybody from those times. They didn’t have any super spiritual-ness. They were human and had faults and ills and good days and bad days just like the rest of us. They probably were in better shape cause their diet was different from ours and they walked or rode animals (but mostly walked) everywhere they went.

But still, an 85-year-old body is an 85-year-old body.

And you know what? That last part of verse 15 says, “And the land had rest from war.” (NIV) So all that fear was for nothing. Fear never amounts to anything anyway. But that simple sentence makes it sound like, they just went in and took it, no big deal.

It shows that God honored His promise. It shows that Joshua upheld God’s integrity and reliability by giving Caleb what was promised to him. God keeps His word when He promises something, whether it be to you personally or by His word.

So when I get impatient and I start getting worried about whether God will really do what He said He would do in my life, I think of Caleb saying, Lord, Give Me My Mountain.

Open up your Bible and see what other promises are there. God will keep those promises too!