“And now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old. I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me…. So now give me this hill country of which the LORD spoke on that day.… It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall drive out [the giants] just as the LORD said.” (Joshua 14:10-12, ESV)
It would be wrong to call Mesa Country Club “hill country,” though there are real elevation changes because several holes begin or end on the mesa for which the city of Mesa was named. Eight holes are either uphill or downhill.
Likewise, my friend Rex is not a replica of Caleb. Caleb was only 85, after all, and Rex is 88. Caleb was one of the original 12 who spied out the land of Canaan. Rex wasn’t an original member at Mesa but has conquered this “hill country.” Here’s how.
Recently, I was near the Mesa pro shop when Rex finished his round. I pointed him out to my guests as a terrific golfer and a great guy. He had played behind us, walking up and down those hills with a pushcart.
On his way to the pro shop, he spotted me and came over. “Not to brag at all,” he said, “but I wanted you to see this.” And he handed me his scorecard.
My eye went to the total: 72. Rex had just beat his age by 16 strokes! Knowing he shoots better than his age every time he plays, I asked him if this was the record.
With a twinkle in his eye and a smile, he looked at me and said, “So far.”
In that reply, he was like Caleb, an amazing hero of the faith whose strength was still with him and who trusted the Lord.
Rex inspires me to play better golf, to push away the idea that just because I’m older, I can no longer be in the fight.
Caleb inspires me to trust God for my strength, for my ministry, and for the victory in faith.
Joshua granted Caleb’s request for the land, and Caleb fought and took that land because “he wholly followed the Lord, the God of Israel.”
What hill country does God have for you to take, even if there are giants living there?
You may have already done great things “so far,” as both Caleb and Rex had, but perhaps there is more to do. Ask God to show you what it is and rely on him every step of the way. He will give you the land.
Prayer: Father, may our faith be as strong as Caleb’s, and may we take the land for your glory. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen