With God’s help

So here I am today, eighty-five years old! . . . I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. — Joshua 14:10-11

As I’ve grown older, I’ve noticed more joint pain, especially when cold weather hits. Some days, I feel less like a conqueror and more like someone conquered by the challenges of becoming a senior citizen.

That’s why my hero is an older man named Caleb — the former spy sent by Moses to scout out Canaan, the Promised Land (Num. 13-14). After the other spies gave an unfavorable report, Caleb and Joshua were the only spies out of the 12 whom God favored to enter Canaan. Now, in Joshua 14, the time for Caleb to receive his portion of land had come. But there were enemies still to drive out. Not content to retire and leave the battle to the younger generation, Caleb declared, “You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said” (Josh. 14:12).

“The Lord helping me.” That’s the kind of mindset that kept Caleb battle-ready. He focused on God’s power, not his own, nor on his advanced age. God would help him do whatever needed to be done.

Most of us don’t think of taking on anything monumental when we reach a certain age. But we can still do great things for God, no matter how old we are. When Caleb-sized opportunities come our way, we don’t have to shy away from them. With the Lord helping us, we can conquer!  — Linda Washington

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me the strength to get through each day. Help me to do Your will.

READ: Joshua 14:7-15

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

Bible in a Year: Joel 1-3 and Revelation 5