Aggressive in spiritual battles

Then the people of Judah came to Joshua at Gilgal. And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the Lord said to Moses the man of God in Kadesh-barnea concerning you and me. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought him word again as it was in my heart. But my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt; yet I wholly followed the Lord my God. And Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance for you and your children forever, because you have wholly followed the Lord my God.’ And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, just as he said, these forty-five years since the time that the Lord spoke this word to Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness. And now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old. I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming. So now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the Lord said.” Then Joshua blessed him, and he gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance. Therefore Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the Lord, the God of Israel. (Joshua 14:6–14)

The reason God was pleased with Caleb and rewarded his efforts seems obvious; this man did what God wanted, following Him with his whole heart. However, because the Hebrews had this thing about names and the meanings being important, I looked up the names mentioned to see if there was more to this than the obvious. 

I discovered that Caleb is from a root word meaning doing something with force. This man vigorously went after the enemies of Israel. This made me think about the prayer life of many Christians today. Our enemies are not flesh and blood, so we fight them with prayer:

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (Ephesians 6:11–13)

This familiar passage is about wearing spiritual armor and defeating the forces of evil with constant and vigorous prayer, boldly and confidently winning over them in forceful determination, like Caleb.

Wondering why Caleb’s father was mentioned twice, I looked up him also. His name means to be prepared and with a change of direction. Amazing how God speaks to me through this. I’ve prayed for salvation for other for many years. Lately God is giving me direction to pray against the Liar who keeps people in darkness. This is one more reminder: change the direction of how I’m fighting the enemy and be prepared for war. Ephesians 6 gives specific attitudes and my dozens of books on prayer do the same. I need to be ready for battle and do this with forceful determination.

One thing stands out. Joshua says Caleb was given what he asked for because of his persistent determination and whole-hearted obedience. Answered prayer isn’t because I talk God into something but because He has talked greater obedience into me.

Jesus, this is really important. Some of my prayers seem totally impossible requests, yet You continue to surprise me with doing what I ask. Yet I also realize that if I am not being obedient, You work on me. Your priority is not always on those things I pray for but many times on my attitude and love toward You.

Lukewarm, blah, ugh . . .

While reading “Switch on Your Brain” and other books, I’ve sensed the voice of the Lord saying, “Listen to me” and having portions of His Word pop into mind. In many cases, His Word affirms the words of the book but not always. I’m thankful for these reminders because I want to think God’s thoughts and not be side-tracked by human ideas that are not aligned with Him.

The last church to receive a letter from Jesus was in Laodicea. He did not commend them. His rebuke is sharp and yet not without hope:

“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 3:14–22)

This rebuke would have been especially meaningful for two reasons. In their feasts as well as in their religious sacrifices, people at that time drank what was either hot or cold—never lukewarm. Besides that, Laodicea had their water piped in from a city a few miles north. By the time the water reached them it was lukewarm.

Jesus was rebuking their contentment with material wealth while being oblivious to their spiritual poverty. He used strong words to describe them. His reference to gold was another way of saying that the gold they enjoyed was not the best wealth. He also pointed to what they wore, beautiful clothes but they needed the white robes that symbolize righteousness to cover them. This was another meaningful rebuke because wool was a major product of the area and Laodicea was noted for a black garment made of black wool. Jesus also exhorted them to put His salve in their eyes. A medical school in Laodicea offered a salve to heal common eye troubles, but this church needed spiritual sight.

I am aware of modern churches that are unconscious their spiritual needs. They are happy with beautiful buildings and whatever else money can buy but without fellowship or genuine wealth. Their value systems are worldly, not godly. This letter appeals to them to open their doors and let Jesus in. Intimate fellowship with Christ means ruling with Him and sharing His victory. Lukewarm hearts miss much of God’s blessing and need to repent.

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Lord Jesus, from these letters You encourage me to watch out for these dangers: losing my first love, being afraid of suffering, doctrinal defection, moral departure, spiritual deadness, not holding fast, and becoming lukewarm. These things happen to churches but also to individuals. Someone once said they would rather burn out than rust out. I tend to think that way too yet need to remember to rely on You, not try to do anything (great or small) in my own strength. As I begin this day, my prayer is for guidance, wisdom, and reliance on You in everything that You ask of me. Keep me filled with Your Spirit and with thoughts that come from Your heart.

Today’s thankful list . . .

- being more aware of my thoughts and how they affect my actions.

- knowing that I have eternal life.

- realizing how many times I live as if I don’t.

- the ladies who clean my house once a month.

- peace.