We have walked the wilderness
And have proved Your faithfulness
And known Your presence
And some have stumbled on the way
By grace alone, we’re here today
Here in Your presence
I discovered this Graham Kendrick song recently. It’s about Caleb – one of my Bible-story-heroes. God said of him: ‘My servant Caleb has a different spirit and has followed me wholeheartedly.’(Numbers 14:24)
…Caleb’s had a tough life, wandering through the wilderness for 40 years. Most of his friends and family have died; he’s 85-years-old but determined to keep going…
The race is not yet run
And battles to be won
But in Your strength I’m strong
He’s finally arrived in the Promised Land; all his life he’s looked forward to this. He’s been faithful to God; God’s been faithful to him. Rather than looking back with nostalgia or regret he looks forward with expectation and anticipation. He says:
…give me this mountain that the LORD promised me. You will remember that as scouts we found the descendants of Anak living there in great, walled towns. But if the Lord is with me, I will drive them out of the land, just as the Lord said.’ (Joshua 14:12)
Though giants bar the way
Our God is strong to save
You made me bold to say
I’m retired, at that stage of life when people say: ‘Relax. Do what you want to do. Take life easy.’
Caleb’s example says otherwise… Caleb asks for mountains and giants (Anak’s descendants). Still wholehearted and determined he embraces difficulties and won’t take life easy.
Caleb tells me that there’s still much more to come in my life. Life must be lived positively. Mountains and giants, that I could fear or avoid, I face with confidence. My God is strong enough. He is with me.
Give me this mountain
I will not be turning back
Give me this mountain
For Your glory
Give me this mountain
Jesus’ blood has overcome
So I’m not quitting till it’s done
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