Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 73: The Wait Can be Long

Good morning everyone!

Today I read Joshua 12-15.

In today's reading, we get a detailed list of all the kings the Israelites defeated, as well as a list of the division of the land between the tribes.

But what I want to focus on is the discussion between Joshua and Caleb in between that information.

In chapter 14, Caleb reminds Joshua that he had been promised the land at Kadesh-barnea, at the mountain where Joshua and Caleb went to spy for Moses. Because of Caleb's faith that they would be able to take the land, Moses promised it to him.

So, Caleb reminds Joshua of this promise.

But here's the interesting part.

At the time he spied for Moses, Caleb was 40 years old.

And 45 years have passed since that time.

Now, Caleb tells Joshua that he is just as strong at 85 as he was at 40. God has allowed him to live all these years, so that he can claim his inheritance.

And isn't that amazing?

But the other part of my brain is going "That's a long time to wait!"

And it is.

Caleb waited 45 years for his blessing, for the promise of God to be fulfilled in his life.

Sometimes the wait is long. But Caleb never forgot that promise. He never lost hope or faith.

And he didn't stop following God or trusting Him.

And he didn't idle that time away. Caleb was busy helping Joshua to fight Israel's enemies and take back the land God had promised them. And then he was busy helping Joshua to lead the people and divide inheritances.

And I think that's an amazing lesson.

Caleb had to wait a long time for his blessing, but he never wavered in his belief that he would get it. He continued to trust God and to do what he had been called to do.

Sometimes the wait seems long, and it's hard not to despair. But I know that God's timing is perfect, and He always brings our promises about when the time is right.

If you, like me, are waiting for something to happen, waiting for something God has promised, take heart from Caleb's story.

I can't promise that the wait won't be long. But I can promise that it will be worth it. God prepares us in our time of waiting, if we will let Him. And our blessings arrive just on time.

I want to encourage you today. Don't give up. Keep trusting God in your wait. Continue to do what He has called you to do. And have faith. God's timing is perfect. And His promises are worth waiting for.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Joshua 16-18.