Wednesday, April 22, 2015

April 23, 2015

But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.” Numbers 14:24

Caleb was one among twelve spies but he stood head and shoulder above the rest! He prospered when the ten faithless spies perished!

Over the last few days we have been learning why:

·         He was a devoted servant
·         He had a different spirit

And the third thing different about Caleb is:

·         He was dead to self

As you look at this story it is obvious there were two different spirits at work in the ten spies than in Caleb and Joshua.

If you are going to have a different spirit as Caleb did why not have God’s Spirit? You cannot have God’s Spirit and your selfish will co-existent in the same heart. Your sinful nature must die in order for God’s Spirit to fill you with His presence and power.

The Apostle Paul said it this way:

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.Romans 12:1-2

When you look at the difference in Caleb’s report and that of ten other spies you have to wonder, “Wow! What a difference! What’s that about?”

They saw the same things but they saw them with a different spirit.

The difference was about seeing Canaan through eyes of faith rather than eyes of flesh. And the difference was having the confidence of a victor instead of cowering as a victim.

The difference was about Caleb being dead to himself and alive to God! He wasn’t worried about anything except pleasing God. He didn’t have to b defensive or fearful or timid, he just had to size up the enemy, measure them against God and share the optimistic report.

The difference was about Caleb sensing God’s presence, God’s peace and God’s protection as he scouted behind enemy lines.

It was a big difference and it raises a big question. If they knew they were going to spy out God’s Promised WHY didn’t the other spies prepare spiritually as well?

How about you?

Are you spiritually prepared for the next big thing God has for you?

Have you died to yourself?

Do you have a different spirit?



No comments:

Post a Comment