March 26, 2011
It ain’t over until it’s over
At eighty-five, when most men would have been long retired, Caleb was still fighting giants and seeking his inheritance in the Promised Land. He was clearly inspired by Moses, who maintained his vigor to age 120. It is important not to “sell yourself short” and quit too early. Certainly, some adjustments are necessary as a man gets older, but as one author put it, age fifty should be considered “half time” in a man’s life. If God still had a job for an eighty-five year old, and if a man of 120 was still gainfully employed, surely the Lord has plan for me in the second half of my life.

March 27, 2011
Overcoming Obstacles
The descendants of Joseph could not (or did not) drive out all of the Canaanites from the land (Josh 17:13). They were dissatisfied with the size of their inheritance, but unwilling to do the work of broadening their borders. They said that the remaining Canaanites were “too strong for them.” (Josh 17:16) No matter how hard we try, there will always be persistent challenges. This is partly because of our fear and weakness, and partly because God doesn’t intend for us to live a life of ease. If we did we would experience spiritual atrophy. Just as anti-gravity weakens astronauts bones, so lack of resistance erodes the Christian spirit. Accept the fact that “in this life you will have tribulation, but take courage. Jesus has overcome the world.” (John 16:33)