CALEB'S HEART

Recently I was just thinking about Caleb. I read about how he not only inherited Hebron but also Debir. Hebron is the place where the forefathers were buried. It means friendship or alliance. Another meaning is also friendship with God. I also searched the meaning of Debir and it says sanctuary or holy place. I was quite touched when I saw this because both places have similar meanings. Both pointed to closeness with God in the holy place.

That alone tells me so much about Caleb's heart. We have all known that Caleb has a different spirit, a spirit of faith. But the fact that he inherited these two places speaks of his heart. Behind that spirit of faith is a heart that longs to draw near to God, to be close to His blessings. I was also impressed upon other people like King David, whom God called a man after His own heart. David always have a heart that is so tender towards God. Even when he was rich and successful as a king, he never forgot about God. It was David who brought the Ark back to Jerusalem and who wanted to build a temple for Him. Even when he sinned, he quickly repented and said he has sinned against God.

I also thought about Abraham, whom God called a friend of God. What an honour! God even revealed to Abraham the plan to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, giving him the chance to intercede for them. God set Abraham and his family apart right from the start when He called them out of Haran. He already knew Abraham's heart and He was pleased with Abraham. Remember how Abraham came out and warmly hosted the three angelic messengers. This showed he had a heart for the things of God and knew that it was God who prospered him.

Then I also thought about Moses, who communed with God and sought to see His face. And about Enoch who walked with God and was caught up into the heaven without seeing death. Not forgetting Jacob, though he was a conniver, deep at his heart, he was hungry for God's blessings. The things of God mattered so much to him, unlike Esau who sold his birthright for a bowl of lentil. Also about Joseph, who still worshipped and feared God even though he was betrayed by his brothers. He could have been bitter towards God and turned his back against God but he didn't.

Of course not all people in the bible are like them. Actually these men were a minority. But whenever such a man or woman of God was born, it pleased God so much that He never failed to mention them. Sometimes I wondered if they were born like this, with a heart for God. Or that God already foreknew how they would respond to Him. In any case, such people are a joy and delight to Him. As a parent I can understand how pleased it must have felt when a child is very close to the parent and carries his heart.

In this year of possessing our possessions, Pastor Prince also mentioned about walking with God. He talked about having a desire for the things of God, to draw near to Him. He also urged us to have a different spirit. Not a spirit of the world, the ten spies but a spirit of faith like Caleb and Joshua. Pastor also warned us about a prideful spirit as well as hungering for the things of the world, like how the Israelites longed to go back to Egypt. The world has nothing for us but the promised land which God has prepared for us is much better than we can imagine. No wonder 1 Corinthians 2:9 says 'No ear has seen, no ear has heard, no mind can conceive what the Lord has in store for those who love Him.' Well, I am truly excited, are you?