It never fails to help me, encourage me, and challenge me. Whenever I read God’s evaluation of Caleb in Deuteronomy 1:35-36, I am amazed by the simplicity of the very way to a God-approved life: “Not a man of this evil generation shall see the good land I swore to give your forefathers, except Caleb. He will see it, and I will give him and his descendants the land because he followed the Lord wholeheartedly.” You should underline the word “wholeheartedly” in the Bible. There are so many “half-hearted” people in the church today, it is no wonder that many churches are totally ineffective in having a impact on their community.
Being the “people of God” is not the top priority in the lives of many professing Christians. Worship and Bible study is easily bumped aside if the kids have a soccer game, the Redskins are playing, the annual Craft Fair is on or Aunt Susie and her family are coming for a visit.
Folks who have this kind of view of spirituality often are surprised that their children grow up with no interest in spiritual things or their neighbor doesn’t respect their religious opinions.
“Wholeheartedly”! It has a different ring to it. It sounds like being focused, knowing who you are and where you are going. Some fear becoming a religious fanatic. Perhaps there were people who called Caleb a fanatic. But the people around him always knew where Caleb stood: he was going God’s way. And God knew that, too. That’s why He commended Caleb.
Jesus had the same thing in mind when He said, “You should love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)
How about you? Just half-way? Follow the Caleb example; serve the Lord Jesus “wholeheartedly”.
“O God of Mercy, help us to make the main thing the main thing and
stop confusing the people who are watching us each day. Amen”
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