Scriptures: Joshua 14:10-13

The emphasis moves from Joshua to Caleb in chapter 14. Caleb declared to Joshua that he desired the hill country where the giants had been seen. He was confident that with the power of God he would be able to take this tough territory.

Each of us has a mountain to climb, spiritually speaking. The children of God always face obstacles in their lives, but with His strength we can overcome our mountains no matter how rugged the terrain.

Many feel inadequate to face the mountains of life. We learn significant lessons from Caleb as he claimed the mountain God promised. We find that he was sufficient for the task, and God provided him with strength for each demand.

I. His confidence never ceased (v. 10)

"Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old!"

In Numbers 13 and 14 the spies were reporting after their return from the Promised Land. The minority report and the majority report contradicted each other. The majority declared the task impossible; Joshua and Caleb declared that it was indeed possible, in the strength of the Lord, to conquer the land. The people gave in to fear, and as a result they never entered the land.

Forty-five years later Caleb declared that even at 85 he was still bold enough to capture the land. Of course, he placed his confidence in God, just as he did 45 years earlier. He could remember God at the Red Sea and His provision in the wilderness. Even after the wilderness wanderings, he was determined to place his confidence in God's power to see him through.

Caleb's faith in God was not shaken by circumstance. If we are to move forward and climb mountains, we, too, must express our confidence in God and His ability to give us victory.

II. His strength never failed (v. 11)

"I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out."

The emphasis moves from Joshua to Caleb in chapter 14. Caleb declared to Joshua that he desired the hill country where the giants had been seen. He was confident that with the power of God he would be able to take this tough territory.

Each of us has a mountain to climb, spiritually speaking. The children of God always face obstacles in their lives, but with His strength we can overcome our mountains no matter how rugged the terrain.

Many feel inadequate to face the mountains of life. We learn significant lessons from Caleb as he claimed the mountain God promised. We find that he was sufficient for the task, and God provided him with strength for each demand.

Caleb had been through the difficult days of the desert. As a result, he had an unparalleled strength. Difficult times strengthen us as we trust God. We lose the fear that comes from hard times because we know that God has previously seen us through hard times. Caleb had witnessed the parting of the Red Sea, the fall of Jericho, the return to Ai; he was determined to stand in the strength of his God.

III. His God never forgot (v. 13)

"Then Joshua blessed Caleb, son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance."

Because of his willingness to tackle the tough territory, Caleb had enough for himself and his descendants. The benefits of his mountain climbing poured over into the lives of those around him.

When a believer faces a mountain and climbs to victory, his or her life is a blessing to others. God can allow the challenges, hurts, or heartaches in our lives to touch the lives of others. Jesus walked up the mount to Calvary to bring all of us into victory in Him. He has freely offered that gift of life to all who call on Him. Therein lies the power to climb the mountains of life!

Michael Rochelle is pastor of Shadow Hills Baptist Church in Las Vegas, Nevada.