Caleb: Now then, give me this hill country about which the LORD spoke on that day, for you heard on that day that giants were there, with great fortified cities. Perhaps the LORD will be with me, and I will drive them out, dispossess them, as the LORD has spoken. Joshua 14:12

• “Now then.” The statement that follows is not isolated, but flows from a history and context. Understand it. See Numbers 13-14. Context means everything. What is your history?
• “Give me.” This is a request, not a demand. Caleb is asking, not taking. Joshua, not Caleb, was Moses’ successor and Israel’s leader. Caleb submits to and recognizes Joshua’s authority. Caleb submits to Joshua in spite of their history (see above) where Caleb was initially “senior” to Joshua. In spite of the fact they are the same age, and were essentially peers. In spite of the fact that Caleb bases his request on a promise from God. “All authority is from God …” Romans 13:1; and see Jesus, “You would have no authority over Me unless it had been give you from above.” John 19:11. To whom are you submitted?
• “Hill country.” Not what some would say is the best. Not farm land. But the land God promised. Literally, for Caleb, the “promised land.” Take what God has promised you and be thankful. What God promises is always the best for you. This does not mean be accepting of compromised circumstances. Just the opposite. Caleb here is not accepting his current status but asking for what God has promised. Humbly. Submissively. But still asking. What has God promised you?
• “About which the LORD spoke.” “As the LORD has spoken.” The request is based on God’s promise. Therefore it is a reliable, sound, grounded request. But it is not presumptive. It is still a request. See “Give me,” above. What has God spoken to you? In Scripture? Personally?
• “You heard.” You know. Appeal to common, shared, indisputable, personal experience. It is a very powerful argument. What history do you share with others, especially with those in authority over you?
• “On that day.” History matters. Our faith is rooted in history, actual historical events, not mere ideation, theory, philosophy or speculation, no matter how erudite. What is that “day” or “days” you can point to, when you encountered God, when God spoke, when God promised?
• “Giants.” “Fortified.” “Cities.” This will not be easy. There will be fierce, armed opposition. Organized. Large numbers. “Fortified.”   But Caleb’s attitude is “bring it on.” Are you facing opposition? Can you say with Caleb, “Bring it on?”
• “Perhaps.” God’s promise are reason for comfort, faith and assurance – but not presumption. God is still sovereign. He is not our lap dog. He is not our servant. We are His. “Woe to you who say tomorrow we will go to such and such city, spend a year there, conduct business, and make a profit …” James 4:13. Are you willing to leave the outcome in God’s hands?
• “The LORD will be with me.” This is the only reason to expect success. Not our strength. Not our prowess. Not our numbers. Not horses or chariots. God’s presence is always required. And His presence is always more than enough. Are you aware of God’s powerful yet gentle presence in your life?
• “Drive them out.” “Dispossess them.” God’s plan is to eradicate evil. Entirely. Make no peace with it. Do not coexist with it. Drive it out. Dispossess it. “As the LORD has spoken.” Are you, by God’s presence and power, dispossessing evil in your life?

God has promised “land.” It is time to enter it. What is the territory that God has promised you?

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