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Sweeter Than Honey: When We Wholly Follow the Lord

3/15/2022

10 Comments

 
In ​#Joshua 13-15, we see listed the lands still to be conquered by #Israel and the lands that have already been divided up for an inheritance. In chapter 14, we find #Caleb speaking to Joshua and requesting his portion of the inheritance. Caleb, one of the original spies of the #PromisedLand, is now 85 years old. The #Lord has preserved his life, and he is still as strong at 85 as he was at 40 when he brought back his report from #Canaan. Caleb has wholly followed the Lord. #Biblestudy #Bible
From the Old Testament to the New, the eternality of God's Word is clearly proclaimed: 

Job tells us, “I have treasured the Words of His mouth more than my portion of food” (Job 23:12). 

Isaiah reminds us that, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God endures forever” (Isaiah 40:8). 

And Matthew records Jesus saying, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35).

God's Word is like an eternal Love Letter to us!

​Have you ever received a love letter, friend? Did you read it? Did you read it just once, or did you read it over and over again? A Love Letter is a treasure when you love the One who sent it!
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​How would you like to read through God's Love Letter—His Word, the Bible, with a group of like-minded, Christian girlfriends? We're doing that over in the private, Sweeter Than Honey, Facebook group. Did you know you don't have to start a Bible reading plan on January 1? You can begin today! This simple plan, and an accountability partner, will help you succeed. Who will be your accountability partner? Share this post with them and invite them to the private Facebook group. 
JOIN THE PRIVATE SWEETER THAN HONEY FACEBOOK GROUP
Sweeter Than Honey is patterned after this Bible Reading Itinerary. On Tuesdays, here at the blog, I would love it if you and I could take a trip through God's Word and Sweeter Than Honey, together! I would also encourage you to Join us over in the private, Sweeter Than Honey, Facebook group, introduce yourself, meet new friends, and share your thoughts there as well. We're waiting for you!

​Joshua 13-15: When We Wholly Follow the Lord

In these three chapters, we see listed the lands still to be conquered by Israel and the lands that have already been divided up for an inheritance. In chapter 14, we find Caleb speaking to Joshua and requesting his portion of the inheritance:
“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.” (14:6-12)
Caleb, one of the original spies of the Promised Land, is now 85 years old. The Lord has preserved his life, and he is still as strong at 85 as he was at 40 when he brought back his report from Canaan. Caleb wholly followed the Lord when he was 40, and he is still wholly following the Lord at 85. ​
Here are five things we can learn from Caleb’s life:
  1. Caleb could be true to his own heart because his heart was in tune with God’s will. “I brought him word again as it was in my heart” (14:7).
  2. Even when those around him didn’t follow God, Caleb wholly followed the Lord. “yet I wholly followed the Lord my God” (14:8).
  3. Caleb’s reward, the land on which his foot trod, would be an inheritance to him and his children forever because he wholly followed the Lord. “because you have wholly followed the Lord my God” (14:9). 
  4. The Lord is a promise keeper! “the Lord has kept me alive just as He said” (14:10).
  5. You’re never too old to wholly follow God. “I am this day eighty-five years old” (14:10).
Today, let our hearts be in tune with God’s will as we seek to wholly follow the Lord!
I would love to think I am going to be as strong at 85 as I was at 40, wouldn't you? We may not be physically, but we can be spiritually if we choose to wholly follow the Lord!

About Sweeter Than Honey

When I read God’s Word each morning, I find inspiration and insight that keeps my day on track. Join me on this journey. Let’s settle in with His Word—it’s His Love Letter to us. Did you know that? Let’s read it like a love letter, expecting to glean something for our walk with Him every day. Let’s look for peace in the chaos and strength for our weaknesses. Even on our busiest days we can carve out a few minutes to refocus on the important—the eternal. Can’t we? We may have to get up a little earlier, when the house is still and quiet, or stay up a few minutes after the others are all tucked in for the night, but we can do this! I know we can!  
Let's be intentional about focusing on God’s Word and the truths found there. Let's let it inspire us to live out our faith each day in a way that causes those we come in contact with to want what we have found. God sees you. He knows you by name, He knows the number of hairs on your head, and He cares about every detail of your daily existence. He wrote you a Love Letter. Let’s dive in!

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Please Share
10 Comments
jviola79@hotmail.com link
3/15/2022 09:30:17 am

Second time reading from this chapter this morning. Earlier this morning as I read, it was verse 24 which stood out to me. Much to learn from Caleb!

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
3/15/2022 11:37:53 am

"...because he wholly followed the Lord, the God of Israel." Joshua 14:14b A lot can happen when we "wholly" follow God. A lot can happen when we don't. But I much prefer the life that happens when we wholly follow Him!!

Reply
Michele Morin link
3/15/2022 09:48:52 am

YES! Let's trust for grace to be spiritually strong old ladies! For His glory!

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Patsy Burnette link
3/15/2022 11:44:42 am

Michele, our Summer 2022 Book Club-Style Bible Study with the book, "Aging with Grace" by Sharon W. Betters and Susan Hunt goes right along with this theme! For His glory!

Reply
Maryleigh link
3/15/2022 10:41:09 am

To be 85 like Caleb and be physically, emotionally and spiritually vigorous! What a blessing!

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
3/15/2022 11:48:29 am

YES! The spiritually and emotionally I can kind of get, Maryleigh. But the physically? I'm not anywhere near 85 yet and I totally am already not physically as strong as I was at 40! Not sure how he did that.

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Debbie Wilson link
3/15/2022 11:27:56 am

I love those verses on God's word. Lifts my heart to read them.

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Patsy Burnette link
3/15/2022 11:50:02 am

Yes, Debbie, Caleb's longevity—spiritually and physically are both encouraging as we journey on towards 85!

Reply
Lauren Renee Sparks link
3/15/2022 12:18:12 pm

I hope I am stronger spiritually at 85 than I am today!

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
3/15/2022 02:53:05 pm

Certainly we do want to progress in that direction! :) That happens one day at a time, one moment at a time, and one decision at a time to "wholly" follow the Lord.

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