Reasons to Keep Going – Part I

Often, we fall prey to the temptation to give up in life.  Working harder than we ever have, we have very little to show for it.  Emotionally, we invest in relationships and try our hardest “to make them work.”  Yet, many primary relationships fail.  We struggle for years trying to make lemonade out of life’s proverbial lemons.  Many of us have been in the same job for years.  We wonder what difference we make.  Understandably, these perplexing situations entice us to give up. 

What difference does it make?  That is the question of the “doer” who sets about changing the world for the better.  On the macro level, he involves himself in social, political and economic affairs with the hope of transforming oppressive systemic causes and structures.  Daily, he wakens with the goal of making the world a more just and peaceful place for all people.  On the micro level, such a person wants the very best for his family.  Painstakingly, he works to offer them the very best quality of living of which he is capable.  On the job, he catches a vision for excellence and tries to impart it to those with whom he works.  Yet, despite his investments of time and talent, he fails to see any appreciable difference in either sector of life.  Tossing in the towel appears the most reasonable response. 

However, I encourage such a despondent person to keep going.  There is an old athletic saying, “Winners never quit and quitters never win.”  Also, you have probably heard the adage, “You’ve got to be in it to win it.”  Moreover, the story of Caleb encourages all of us to persevere and accomplish our goals.  Few worthwhile dreams come quickly or easily.  His example teaches us that victory and joy are the possessions of persons with character, patience, discipline, willingness and faith to endure adversity until triumph emerges.  In Joshua 14, Caleb’s receipt of his inheritance during the division of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel demonstrates five reasons to keep going.

First, God does not fail.  In the seventh and eighth verses, Caleb testifies to the ageless truth that God never fails.  Caleb tells the assembly about the initial exploration mission that Joshua, ten other men and he undertook to scout out the Promised Land.  Caleb was forty years of age at the time.  Further, Caleb says that he brought back a report according to his convictions.  However, excluding Joshua, the other men “made the hearts of the people melt with fear.”  But, Caleb “followed the Lord [his] God wholeheartedly.”  In consequence, Moses, the servant of Almighty God, swore to Caleb that the land “in which [his] feet have walked will be [his] inheritance and that of his children forever.”  As the division of land progresses, Caleb recalls this tremendous incident that occurred forty years previously.  In so doing, he reminds us that God does not fail!

God kept Caleb alive for forty years.  The faithless generation that left Egypt died in the wilderness.  Caleb attended many funerals.  Also, he fought several enemies and withstood the heat of battle.  In all of that, God did not fail to protect Caleb in order that He might ultimately fulfill the promise that Moses articulates.

Second, God realizes His promises.  If God promises you something, you can rely unwaveringly upon His word.  It will come true!  As the prophet, Habakkuk says, “Although the vision tarries, it will come.”  The delays that we experience are merely “divine intermissions” in which God resets the stages of our lives.  Our impatience and frustrations blind us to the mysterious and majestic “coincidences” of each day. In the tenth verse, Caleb states straightforwardly that Almighty God kept him alive for forty-five years in order to fulfill His promise.  Caleb rejoices, “So here I am today, eighty-five years old!”  Caleb’s testimony assures us that God keeps His promises.