The rewards of obedience

1. The fulfillment of God's will
You cannot resist the will of God and receive the grace of God at the same time.
Israelites resisted Joshua
-They forgot their history of God's blessings
-They looked for a leader who could take them back to Egypt
-Though God promised the land to them, they saw only the pitfalls

2. The favor of God
Never try to explain God until you have obeyed Him. The only part od God we understand is the part we have obeyed.
Favor comes in phases
-potential: the leader gives his apprentice favor
-progress: the leader and the people give their apprentice favor
-power: the leader, the people, and God gives the apprentice favor

3. The fulfilled life from God
God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible--what a pity that we plan only the things we can do by ourselves
Taking the right steps
-Prayer: Joshua developed his own relationship with God.
-Obedience: As a servant, warrior and leader
-Faith: Joshua stood up against other spies, fought the Amalekites
-Commitment: He gaves his best, risking his own life even when he was outnumbered
-Partnership: He valued what was right over what was popular, partnering with God to conquer Canaan.

by Ptr. Jay Banzuelo

Give me this mountain

We each have a mountain we seek to possess, whether it is business, finances, academics, etc., but God GIVES mountains to a Caleb kind of man:

--those who wholly follow the Lord, his God (v8,9,14). You must keep His commands in all of
daily life's directions. You can claim Deut.28:1-2 (being set high above the nations of the
Earth, with blessings coming upon and accompanying you), and must be careful of
Deut.28:15 (having all curses come upon and overtake you).

--those who stand alone (v8). Caleb stood ground on issues of faith, character, for the right.
Though he was alone, he willingly claimed "no more compromise."

--those who are faithful (v8,10). Caleb stood up, unrecognized, stood behind the scenes--
faithful. He also served his family (ch15).

--those who wait on God (v10). Caleb could've gone angry or rebellious, but he waited 45 years
for God's appointed time (Isaiah 64:4).

*based on Joshua 14:6-14
be Rev. Burton Williams