When Moses sent one man from each tribe to spy out the land God had promised to the children of Israel, all but Caleb and Joshua brought back a report to discourage the people from going up to possess the land. But Caleb and Joshua believed that God was able to give the land to them. God did not allow those who did not believe and who provoked Him to enter into the land He had promised to give to Israel. But Caleb and Joshua were allowed to enter. As the land was being divided among the tribes of Israel, Caleb spoke with Joshua ...
Joshua 14:7 Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. 8 Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God. 9 And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.
Caleb “wholly” …. completely and without turning aside … followed God.
God had said He would give the
land to the children of Israel. Caleb
believed that God was able to do what He had said. Because he believed God, Caleb went forward based on what God had said, following God.
10 And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. 11 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. 12 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. 13 And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.
Caleb continued to trust in the Lord at age 85 as he had at age 40. He believed that if God was with him, he would be able to drive out the Anakims from the mountain. And, in fact, he was able to do this ... And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak. (Joshua 15:14)
Throughout our lives we, also, must continue to hold fast to God and to His Word, wholly following God. Believing what He has said to us, and going in that way.
Hebrews 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.