1. SCRIPTURE READING: JOSH 14:6-14 THE BIBLE SPEAKS TO OUR CONDITION: “GIVE ME THIS MOUNTAIN”

2. INTRODUCTION They are a great many statements and actions within the Bible that catch our attention and cause us to want to study them further They are a great many statements and actions within the Bible that catch our attention and cause us to want to study them further This evening we will look at one of these statements found in Josh 14:12 “Give me this mountain…” This evening we will look at one of these statements found in Josh 14:12 “Give me this mountain…” We must remember the situation in which Caleb is making this statement We must remember the situation in which Caleb is making this statement After Joshua, Moses becomes the leader After Joshua, Moses becomes the leader The land has been divided among the tribes of Israel The land has been divided among the tribes of Israel If Caleb and the people are to have “This mountain” they will have to conquer the land If Caleb and the people are to have “This mountain” they will have to conquer the land This evening we will look at what it is that caused Caleb to press on to higher ground This evening we will look at what it is that caused Caleb to press on to higher ground

3. CALEB REMEMBERS GOD’S PROMISE TO HIM ( JOSH 14:6-7 ) Caleb the spy Caleb the spy Sent by Moses 40 years earlier to spy out the land ( Num 13; Josh 14:10 ) Sent by Moses 40 years earlier to spy out the land ( Num 13; Josh 14:10 ) The fruit of the land, flowing with milk and honey The fruit of the land, flowing with milk and honey Num 13:27 “ 27 Then they told him, and said: “We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.” Num 13:27 “ 27 Then they told him, and said: “We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.” The other spies feared the people that dwelled in the land The other spies feared the people that dwelled in the land Num 13:28 “ 28 Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there.” Num 13:28 “ 28 Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there.” Caleb trusted in God ( Num 13:30 ) Caleb trusted in God ( Num 13:30 ) Num 13:30 “ 30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” Num 13:30 “ 30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” The majority lacked this faith The majority lacked this faith Num 13:31 “ 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we… 33 There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” Num 13:31 “ 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we… 33 There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” The majority focused on their problem, Caleb focused on God’s power The majority focused on their problem, Caleb focused on God’s power

4. CALEB REMEMBERS GOD’S PROMISES TO HIM ( JOSH 14:6-7 ) Caleb now 85 years old, once again will stand on the promises of God Caleb now 85 years old, once again will stand on the promises of God He has not and will not forget them He has not and will not forget them He will never be found with the doubters and nay-sayers He will never be found with the doubters and nay-sayers He is on his way to a better land throughout his entire life He is on his way to a better land throughout his entire life

5. CALEB REMEMBERS HIS FORMER COMMITMENT TO THE LORD ( JOSH 14:8-9 ) Josh 14:8 “…but I wholly followed the Lord” Josh 14:8 “…but I wholly followed the Lord” He is remembering back to a time where offered full surrender to the Lord’s will He is remembering back to a time where offered full surrender to the Lord’s will A great example of a man of God, totally dedicated, and committed to following His will A great example of a man of God, totally dedicated, and committed to following His will He remembers a time when he stood out from or disagreed with the majority ( Crowd ) He remembers a time when he stood out from or disagreed with the majority ( Crowd ) Do you remember a day similar to this in your life? Do you remember a day similar to this in your life? What about the day you chose to be buried in the waters of baptism What about the day you chose to be buried in the waters of baptism Was your baptism not a time of full surrender to the will of God despite all the various “Giants” or difficulties standing in your way? Was your baptism not a time of full surrender to the will of God despite all the various “Giants” or difficulties standing in your way? Consider the message of Rev 2:1-7 Consider the message of Rev 2:1-7 Have you forgotten or left your first love? Have you forgotten or left your first love?

6. CALEB REMEMBERS GOD’S FAITHFULNESS TO HIM ( JOSH 14:10-11 ) “The Lord has kept me alive…” “The Lord has kept me alive…” Josh 14:9-10 “ 9 So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land where your foot has trodden shall be your inheritance and your children’s forever, because you have wholly followed the L ORD my God.’ 10 And now, behold, the L ORD has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the L ORD spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old.” Josh 14:9-10 “ 9 So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land where your foot has trodden shall be your inheritance and your children’s forever, because you have wholly followed the L ORD my God.’ 10 And now, behold, the L ORD has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the L ORD spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old.” Except for Joshua, all the others had died Except for Joshua, all the others had died Have you thanked God for keeping you alive and remaining with you these many years? Have you thanked God for keeping you alive and remaining with you these many years? “I am this day, eighty-years old” ( Josh 14:10 ) “I am this day, eighty-years old” ( Josh 14:10 ) Some senior citizen Some senior citizen He did not use his age as an excuse for keeping Him from trusting in and doing the Lord’s will He did not use his age as an excuse for keeping Him from trusting in and doing the Lord’s will God had cared for him up to this point and he knew this would continue God had cared for him up to this point and he knew this would continue

7. CONCLUSION “ Now therefore, give me this mountain…” ( Josh 14:12 ) “ Now therefore, give me this mountain…” ( Josh 14:12 ) Give me Your best Give me Your best Give me Your most difficult task Give me Your most difficult task Remembering should challenge us Remembering should challenge us Thinking back on the Lord’s blessings in our lives should challenge us to trust Him in future difficulties as well Thinking back on the Lord’s blessings in our lives should challenge us to trust Him in future difficulties as well Let us all, like Caleb, strive to move on to higher places that the Lord has for us Let us all, like Caleb, strive to move on to higher places that the Lord has for us