By Emeritus Prof. Mercy Olumide

The cedars of Lebanon grew to 120 feet in height and up to 30 feet in circumference; thus, they were solid, strong, and immovable. The Psalmist saw believers as upright, strong and unmoved by the winds of circumstance. Those who place their faith firmly in God can have this strength and vitality.
 
See the example of Caleb, a courageous and loyal colleague of Joshua (Num 14:6,24) who was an outstanding commander in the invasion of Canaan (Jos 15:14). Caleb was not so much a man of great faith as a man of faith in a great God! Read Joshua 14:6-15 — Caleb inherits Hebron: “I was 40 years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land, and I brought back word to him as it was in my heart…. 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 Lord my God’…. 10: And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the Lord spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. ‘As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in,’” (Joshua 14:7,9-11).
 
In Jos 14:6-12, Caleb was faithful from the start. As one of the original spies sent into the Promised Land (Numbers 13:30-33), he saw great cities and giants, yet he knew God would help the people conquer the land. Because of his faith, God promised him a personal inheritance of land (Numbers 14:24; Deuteronomy 1:34-66). Here, 45 years later, the land was given to him. His faith was still unwavering. Although his inherited land still had giants, Caleb knew the Lord would help him conquer them. Like Caleb, we must be faithful to God, not only at the start of our walk with him, but through our entire lives. We must never allow ourselves to rest on our past accomplishments or reputations.
 
“Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the Lord, God of Israel,” (Jos 14:14).
 
14:14 “Caleb … wholly followed the Lord.” Caleb remained faithful to God and received fully his promised inheritance (vv. 9-14). His life illustrates the believer’s faithfulness and acceptance of the promise of the Father under the new covenant — i.e., the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5). After repentance and acceptance of God’s new covenant terms, believers must go on to receive whatever spiritual gifts God wishes to bestow (cf. Rom 12:6-8, 1Cor 12:4-31)

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