Upheld In A Fixed Heart

Adventure

My grandson, Wyatt, and I have been reading through the Bible book of Joshua. It was his idea and I was more than happy to cooperate.

We’ve read about the conquests of the land that God commanded the Israelites to complete. Pretty amazing stuff. I don’t think we have seen walls fall down when we march around them, or the sun standing still for twenty-four hours or the river part so we can cross it on dry land (not the Red Sea story!).

I wonder if my heart would be strong enough to witness these things?

It prompted a discussion between Wyatt and me about the world these days. We have concerns about how we should live and what if the world ends tomorrow?

We face different giants in the land, for sure, but the command from God is no less resounding.

Move forward. Do not be afraid. I will go with you wherever you go. I am always with you. I have a plan and it will unfold. I have a part for you to play in it.

A Fixed Heart

As we moved along in our reading, we came to Caleb’s story, in chapter fifteen. Caleb is 85 years old. He insists he is as strong as he was 40 years ago when he was a scout looking over the land before the campaign began to conquer it. Now Caleb has his eye on a parcel and is sure that God means for him to have it. He tells Joshua, “Give me a command! I will win the land as the Lord commanded.”

And it was so.

Caleb’s heart was fixed. He focused on the Lord, and what was expected of him. He didn’t bow to circumstances that would seem to cut him down. Fear was not in his vocabulary.

Exhortation

We can be like Caleb. The way has already been given to us.

Fix your heart on things above. Remember the promises of God.

1. Keep going no matter what things look like.
2. Decide to look up. Put fear behind you.
3. Believe God when He says He goes with you wherever you go.
4. He is trustworthy to be present.
5. Believe God when He says He has a plan.
6. Believe God when He says He has a part for you to play in His plan.

When things get tough, think ADVENTURE and not fear. Fix your heart and determine to trust that God will work His plan for us just as He did for Joshua and Caleb.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3,4  NIV).