A Very Different Spirit
In 23 years of doing ministry I have seen people who never quite make it to their "Promise Land- despite being a so-called Christian. On the other hand I have seen many who have entered in and continue to enjoy God's promises.
It was not because of gender, age or length of time being a believer that determined whether they lived in all of God's best or they went around in circles never quite arriving.
What's the difference?
The Book of Numbers tells us why some people make it to their Promise Land while many others don't. Ten out of the twelve spies sent by Moses did not make it, that's a whopping 84%. Only two guys made it. One of them was Caleb. Here's why:
"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
A Different Spirit
God said Caleb had a "different spirit.- As the story goes the 10 other spies claimed the so-called "Promise Land- had giants too strong to be dislodged.
Their spirit was one of unbelief. They saw the land, its produce but they could not believe God could use them to dislodge the giants in the land. In short their spirit of fear and unbelief led to grumbling and a bad report that led the entire nation into doubt and unbelief.
A Spirit of Faith
Caleb on the other hand believed that God was able. He was so convinced that he willingly followed Him with his whole heart. What God meant as a different spirit in Caleb was he had a spirit of faith, to believe that God consistent with His character will fulfill His promise.
The proof of one's faith is seen is the way we follow God, wholeheartedly or halfheartedly. Following Him half-heartedly only means you don't really believe Him. Caleb's spirit of faith and wholehearted approach to following God brought him his inheritance that was passed-on down to his descendants.
You could say he went full circle while his other friends went around in circles and never got their inheritance.
Do you have a different spirit like Caleb? Don't be like the rest of the pack, follow God with your whole heart.
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