Student Devotions Week 19: Caleb: Firm Convictions

Key Verse: Number 14:24
"But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it."

The Hebrew people had escaped the slavery of Egypt and were preparing to enter the land promised to their ancestor Abraham. Because the land was inhabited, 12 spies were sent to check out the situation and bring a report back to Moses. Ten of the spies returned terrified of what they'd seen. They reported that the land was beautiful but that the enemies living there were too great to defeat. Two of the spies, Caleb and Joshua, agreed the land was magnificent and that the enemies were formidable; but they added that God would bring victory to his people.

Caleb and Joshua tried to reassure the Israelites, but the report of the 10 negative spies carried more weight in the eyese of the people. The tide of public opinion had turned, and God's people were paralyzed with fear. Caleb and Joshua weren't respected for standing up for their faith and convictions.

Most likely, you know how Caleb and Joshua felt.

Having firm convictions today sometimes means being in the minority. Some one said if you're a Christian and follow the crowd, then you're going in the wrong direction. Jesus said, "Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it" (Matthew 7:14). Standing for God may mean standing apart from the rest of the crowd-as Caleb and Joshua did.

You may sand out, but you'll never stand alone. Caleb and Joshua found peace in knowing God would be with them always. And just as God continued to use Caleb and Joshua, he'll continue to use you.