Those motivated by audacious faith can have the fullness of God’s blessings in their lives.

Who says old geezers can’t still do it?

I  saw a video of 90-year old Dr. William Bell of Pine Bluff, Ar. as he set the world pole-vault record for his age group (admittedly there’s not a lot of competition in the 90- year old bracket).

There he was, bare chested, sort of sprinting down the track then flying over the bar at 7 feet 2 inches (218 cm). He sat there a minute, resting and reveling in the cheers of a few spectators. According to his wife, “he just wanted to show off for the camera.”

I surmised three things from this:

–Don’t let age tell you that you can’t do something, especially if God is in it.

–If you’re 90, put your shirt when you’re being filmed. The world has already seen enough sorry sights.

–Wives have a way of deflating us when we need it.

Eight-five Year Old Warrior

Though, he’s in superb condition for his age Dr. Bell couldn’t compare with old man Caleb. This crusty character thumped into the room surrounded by the younger leaders of Judah  for an interview with General Joshua.

Forty-five years before the two had spied out the land of Canaan. A giant-infested mountain caught Caleb’s eye. His heart moved as he saw the beauty of the hills and mountains, and the valleys were filled with streams and productive soil all around. I can imagine his conversation with Joshua.

“Here’s where I’m setting up when we take this land.”

Joshua might have smiled at his audacious friend. “Didn’t you notice anything that might cause you a few problems—like all those giants!”

“Yeah, I know. But, if God is for us we’ll eat them up like bread.”
A bit later, God himself had testified to the boldness of Caleb’s faith. “But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it.” (Numbers 14:26 NKJV)

So here they are, 45-years later, and Caleb is still wanting that giant-infested mountain. He figures that God is able to use an 85-year old man just like he used a 45-year old man.
I like the poetic way the King James version renders  what he said, “As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.

“Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said.” (Joshua 14)

Paul Simon sang that he was “still crazy after all these years.” Caleb was still salty after all those years.

And the giants fell before him.

He was blessed and his children after him. “Joshua blessed him. He gave Hebron to Caleb son of Jephunneh as an inheritance. Hebron belongs to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite still today, because he gave himself totally to God, the God of Israel.” (Josh. 11:13, 14, The Message)

(The old man’s example rubbed off on his young daughter who was a bold “asker” and doer herself. I believe she inspired her husband Othinel to heights he would never have attained otherwise. Read about her in Joshua 1).

Only for Sunday School?

So, where does that leave you and me? “Now, boys and girls, who can draw a picture of Caleb and the giants? Oh, Jimmy, that’s great but I doubt that the giant really had three heads.”

Is this just a nice little Sunday School story or will God reward you if you’ve got the same audacious faith as Caleb? Are you cowering, wanting to give up? Are you whimpering saying that you’re too young or too old? Are you fiercely wishing you hadn’t tried  to step out by faith in God? Does the long-ago promise seem like it will never be fulfilled in your life?

Or do you think you’re serving the same God that Caleb served?

“But he who puts his trust in Me shall possess the land, And shall inherit My holy mountain.” (Isa. 57:13, NKJV)

That verse doesn’t limit mountains to Caleb or the pastor, does it? It seems to me that if God has put a dream to take a mountain for him in your heart,  and you burrow down into his goodness, faithfulness and strength you can get up and evict those giants.

Yup, there will ALWAYS be giants, but giants are just a chance for God to show you what He can do.

Can you remember a time when God helped you evict some giants? Share it with us (briefly). Leave your reply at our website: davidscoffeestains.com or answer this email.

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Hmmm …
When angry, you will make the best speech you will ever regret. William Eur

Smile—
“Sir, I understand that you admit to having broken into the dress shop four times,” said the judge. “Yes, Your Honor,” the defendant replied. “What did you steal?” asked the judge. “I stole a dress, Your Honor,” said the man. “One dress?” exclaimed the judge. “But you admit to having broken into the store four times!” “Yes, Your Honor” sighed the defendant, “the first three times my wife didn’t like the color.”

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