Title: Successful Faith Has Characteristics
Contents
A successful faith is characterized!
It is the first Sunday of September, and it is the Sunday before Chuseok, the national holiday. Our nation is a nation that has experienced rapid growth that has once made the neighboring Asian countries envy by ‘live well’ in a very poor nation. However, we are living in an era where we do not have confidence in the future of the nation rather than a sense of victory. Because it wasn't a clean success. When former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who made Singapore a world-class advanced country, throws cigarette saury on the street and punishes drug holders in order to realize the 'clean and green garden city' and 'the cleanest politics in Asia' It was in it, and it ranked first in the world in the world's consumption of liquor. Clean success lasts. Success with corruption quickly crumbles. You are also paying the price for not managing your success properly. Those who believe in Jesus should use the opportunity of success as an opportunity to serve. Let's not lose our thanks before God! Don't miss your chance to help others!
Today, in Joshua 15:13-19, Caleb and his family appear conquering the land of Hebron. Looking at the characteristics of their successful faith, in verses 14-15, “Caleb <cast out> the sons of Anak from there, Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, and went up and <stripped> the inhabitants of Debir..”
First, those who depend on God can be strong even when they grow old. At the age of 85, Caleb strikes the three sons of Anak, the head of the Anak tribe, and expels them. Caleb's faith has the courage to transcend age. Tiger Woods, who has warmed the world with golf fever, is called the king of golf by golf enthusiasts as well as golf experts. His nickname is 'practice bug' and another nickname is 'sponge'. When your coach teaches you a new skill, you practice countless times to make it your own. And finally, because it completely absorbs and digests it with its own, it is nicknamed the sponge. As Edison, the inventor of genius, said that a genius is 99% hard work and 1% inspiration, effort is important. There is a clear difference in effort, but little difference in ability. It's important to be the best, but it's even more important to do your best. Doing your best is courage. Caleb was a man of courage and faith that transcended his age.
Second, what kind of wisdom did Caleb use when it was difficult to defeat the <City of Debir>? “Whoever strikes Kiriath-zebel and takes it, I will give my daughter Achsa as a wife” (verse 16). Caleb's faith has the wisdom to overcome obstacles. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault! and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).
Third, look at the faith of Caleb's daughter. She has the faith to not miss an opportunity. When Othniel conquers Debir, his daughter Aksa marries Othniel. Then father Caleb asks what you want. Then he asks, “Bless me” (verse 19). Just as the father Caleb asked, “Give me the low mountain,” the daughter Axa asks the father, “Bless me.” Believers should not miss the spiritual opportunity to pray. Do not miss the spiritual opportunity to do good!