As Ive grown older, Ive noticed more joint pain, especially when cold weather hits. Some days, I feel less like a conqueror and more like someone conquered by the challenges of becoming a senior citizen.
Thats why my hero is an older man named Calebthe former spy sent by Moses to scout out Canaan, the Promised Land (Num. 1314). After the other spies gave an unfavorable report, Caleb and Joshua were the only spies out of the twelve whom God favored to enter Canaan. Now, in Joshua 14, the time for Caleb to receive his portion of land had come. But there were enemies still to drive out. Not content to retire and leave the battle to the younger generation, Caleb declared, You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said (Josh. 14:12).
The Lord helping me. Thats the kind of mindset that kept Caleb battle-ready. He focused on Gods power, not his own, nor on his advanced age. God would help him do whatever needed to be done.
Most of us dont think of taking on anything monumental when we reach a certain age. But we can still do great things for God, no matter how old we are. When Caleb-sized opportunities come our way, we dont have to shy away from them. With the Lord helping us, we can conquer!
INSIGHT
Caleb had grown up in the slavery of Egypt. Hed seen God rescue His people from the grip of Pharaoh and provide for them for forty years in a hot and barren wilderness. Hed seen giantlike people make his fellow spies feel like insects (Num. 13:33), yet even in his old age he relied on Gods help to conquer the land.
Are you faced with an impossible situation? The same God who helped Caleb can help you too.
![](http://rusimages.homestead.com/our_daily_bread.jpg)