Title Encouragement Caleb/Numbers 13:25-33
When I saw a lot of people who made a mark in history, I had a partner to help them. When watching a play or a soap opera, there are not only main actors but also supporting actors. Caleb is Moses' assistant and is in the same position as the supporting actor. In Numbers 13:6 he is mentioned as a tribe of Judah, but in Joshua he appears as a Kenisite. In other words, in a way, he was a Jew, but originally he was a Gentile. However, such a Gentile Caleb believed in the God of the Jews and comforted and encouraged them. Above all, he was a man with a correct understanding of history.
I. Remember God's faithfulness (past)
Caleb remembered God's faithfulness in the past. It clearly shows how faithfully he led and helped his people in the past. Verse 22 tells us that Caleb and 11 other spies went up to a place called the Negev and went to Hebron. Hebron and the nation of Israel have a very special relationship. Hebron contains the tombs of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Sarah. In other words, it is the place where the soul of Israel dwells. However, the spies who saw Hebron return and say that they fail. But Caleb and Joshua are able to overcome because of God's promise, so let's attack. Today, there are people who say that the past is past and tell us not to get caught up in it. However, it is wrong to forget even the graces received in the past. The way to overcome the anxiety of the present and the fear of the future is to think and believe in how God has loved and guided me in the past.
II. See God's Blessing (Present)
God is showing the people of Israel that He is not only blessing the past, but is also giving them clusters of blessings in the present. 'Don't be afraid... The Lord is with us” (verse 9), showing that He was with us in the past and that He is with us now. God has given us Jesus Christ. He sent the Holy Spirit, the Bible, comfort and blessings, friends and loved ones, the ability to think and the heart. These things are not only given to us in the past, but are now being given to us.
Ⅲ. God Is Holding Our Future (Future)
How do we know what the future holds? As promised to Abraham, the 12 tribes are the proof. If we have a problem today, it is not that we lack strength or lack of strength, but that we do not believe in God's promises. We should remember that God has also made promises to us. And you will have to believe that promise. ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you’ Christ gave us peace (John 14:27). ‘You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you… ’ He also gave me strength and ability to live the life of a witness. (Acts 1:8) ‘Acknowledge him in everything, and he will guide you’ (Proverbs 3:5), and he allowed us to be guided by the Holy Spirit.
*Conclusion
Faith is not obtained through vicarious satisfaction. It is not enough to hear and see Caleb's faith. His faith must be my faith. We must have a sense of history to believe that God is the ruler of history. We must remember that God was faithful to me in the past and is still giving us His blessings today. Finally, we must believe that God is holding onto our future.