Today’s Reading: Joshua 13-16; Matthew 7:7-11; Psalm 138

“You are growing old, and much land remains to be conquered.” – Joshua 13:1

Have you ever had a moment when God called you back to your purpose? Have you ever needed a reminder from God to do what He has asked you to — to complete the mission to which you have been called? Thirty-one kings had been defeated and Joshua was getting old. So God did something amazing for Joshua and for His people so that they could receive all that He had promised them. He went ahead of them, driving the people out of the land he had declared a “special possession”.

Because God was fighting for them, the promised land of Canaan was conquered and divided between the tribes. Joshua knew the source of his victories because he had a relationship with God, the Victor. Joshua did as he was told, carefully obeying all the commands that the Lord had given Moses (11:15). He followed God wholeheartedly (14:8).

45 years before this moment, Joshua stood beside Caleb and ten other men as they scouted out the land of Canaan (Numbers 13). When they returned forty days later, they brought back reports of the beauty and abundance of the land. It took two men to carry back a cluster of grapes. They described the land as bountiful — a land flowing with milk and honey.

But out of the twelve spies, Caleb and Joshua were the only two who stood in faith instead of fear. The cities were fortified and the people were powerful; there were even giants living among them. God’s people panicked, fearing the giants rather than trusting in their God. They spent the next 40 years in the wilderness, but the Lord’s punishment also held a promise for Joshua and Caleb. Because they had responded in faith, they would enter into the Promised Land.

Fast forward to today’s scripture passage, and the work of conquering the land was almost done. The previous five years had been spent battling their enemies and now they were diving the land amongst the tribes. Caleb stepped forward to remind Joshua of the promise God had made to him almost half a century ago — the land they had scouted was to belong to his descendants forever because he had wholeheartedly followed the Lord their God.

CALEB RECEIVED BECAUSE HE ASKED.

Have you ever had a moment when God called you back to your promise? Have you clung to a promise for so long that the moment of its fulfillment is surreal? Let’s take a moment to express gratitude to the God who is faithful — to the One who keeps His promises.

I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness;
for your promises are backed
by all the honor of your name.
As soon as I pray, you answer me;
you encourage me by giving me strength. – Psalm 138:2b-3

So the land of Hebron became Caleb’s inheritance. With the Lord’s help, Caleb drove out the three groups of Anakites living there, successfully taking over the area. He promised to give his daughter Acsah in marriage to the one who captured the town of Debir, and his nephew Othniel received this honored prize.

When Acsah married Othniel, she urged him to ask her father for a field. As she got down off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What’s the matter?”

She said, “Give me another gift. You have already given me land in the Negev; now please give me springs of water, too.” So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs. – Joshua 15:18-19

ACSAH RECEIVED BECAUSE SHE ASKED.

Acsah had already been blessed with land, but she dared to believe for more. She approached her father with the request for a field and springs of water, confidently requesting what her heart desired. And her father gave her both the upper and the lower springs.

I see the heart of our Heavenly Father in this passage which could be so easily overlooked. We serve a God who loves to give good gifts to His children. When we serve the Lord wholeheartedly, He responds with blessings only He has the authority to grant, just as a father lavishes gifts upon his children.

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. – Matthew 7:7-11

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. – Ephesians 3:20

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

Bring your requests before the God who loves you enough to give His Son for your salvation. Ask the Lord to supply your needs and equip you for what is ahead. Keep on asking; keep on seeking. Dare to believe that God is good and that He is faithfully responding to your prayers according to His perfect will.