More Lands to Conquer

Not much is said in scriptures about Jephuneh the father of Caleb apart from the fact that he was from the tribe of Judah. (Numbers 13: 6). Much was however revealed about his son, Caleb. Caleb was a man of great faith, sterling character and spiritual persuasions and convictions. He was one of the 12 delegates Moses sent to evaluate the land of Canaan. The majority gave a situational report that it will be suicidal and a national disaster to venture into Canaan because of the challenges in the promised land. Based on this evil report, the people became afraid and discouraged. But not Caleb and Joshua who chose to see things differently and spiritually.

Caleb and Joshua wrote a minority and dissenting report as regards the project. The majority report was that the Israelites were no match for the challenges they saw. They had a grasshopper mindset which saw themselves incapable of overcoming the herculean challenges in the planned venture to take the land of promise. Joshua and Caleb however saw the land through the mindset of the awesome power of God capable of backing up His commitment and promise. While calming the people down, Caleb said “Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.” (Numbers 13: 30)

God is at work across the world doing great things that have eternal significance. He is reaching the unreached and penetrating territories held in darkness rescuing the lost. God is calling wiling partners to join the train. As you plan to deploy resources of time, energy and money to various things this year, what portion will go into taking promised lands for Christ? You will encounter both in-house and external challenges. The woman with the costly alabaster ointment broke the seal and poured precious and valuable resources on Jesus. From in-house, within church cycles (disciples) there were objections as to the quantum of resources spent on Jesus. They called it a “waste” because they had limits they could go with Jesus even though they travelled with him. They were need oriented people, they used charity as excuse to subvert the purposes of the kingdom. (Matt. 26: 8 Mk 14: 4)

Is God calling you to a great but risky venture this year? Don’t subvert God’s vision and your blessing by allowing negative assessment to contain you through mental paralysis like the ten spies. Yes there may be the situational report of growing insecurity, economic recession, Covid 19 global pandemic, and so on, but God is calling you to put on the “I can through God” mentality and mindset. The grounds we will break will not be because there are no challenges, but IN SPITE of the challenges. We need to put on the attitude of faith as there is so much that can be accomplished if we believe God. The realm of God is the realm of limitless possibilities.

The mistake the majority made was to size the task ahead with their natural resources and abilities. They missed the point in there. Caleb refused to size the task ahead with himself, rather, he sized the task and challenge with the vastness of God’s riches and power. He saw the problem and task through the eyes of God and His conclusion was different from the conclusion of those who size the situation with their own abilities and resources. My friend Dr Ferdinand Nweke will say, “The bigger God gets in your eyes the tinier your challenges appear”. You will live a contained and limited life if your plans this year is based on your personal resources and abilities alone. To venture in the realm of possibilities and miracles, you need to look to God and launch out in faith.

At the age of 80, Caleb was still praying and asking for more territories to conquer for the Lord. He was not satisfied with occupied territories he wanted more for the Lord notwithstanding his previous exploits as a leader. Forget your past failures and achievements and launch out anew into a new beginning with God this year. Its a call and a challenge to do more and be more. If we sit at the sidelines, God will surely raise others and we will miss out of the exciting ventures and miracles ahead.

Gbenga Owa

Gbenga Owa is an itinerant minister, a missions resource mobilizer and a legal practitioner. He works with a number of Christian groups including Global Activation Ministry to see to the salvation of nations. He is married to Mirabel and lives in Abuja, Nigeria with his family.