Caleb is one of the great men of the Bible. He and Joshua were two of the spies sent our to look at the land that God had led the Israelites to as they came out of Egypt. He and Joshua believed what God said about them as a people, rather than looking at the their circumstances, fears and the “giants in the land” before them.
For 40 years Caleb believed in faith on “one word” from God. He believed that he would inherit the promise of land for his family. For 40 years as all his friends and other families died off he continued to stand in faith and patience.
Then at the appointed time, at 80yrs old Caleb went up and took what he had been promised. You can read Caleb’s story in the bible (see Numbers 14:24, 30, Deuteronomy 1:36; Joshua 14:6). It’s worth the read.
Caleb’s life is an example of faith and patience working together. Faith to trust and believe what God has spoken, and patience to keep standing while you wait.
Almost everywhere you see faith mentioned in the Bible you also find patience. Faith and patience work together. They could be called the POWER TWINS.
“do not grow sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12)
Patience by itself, without faith has no power to call into reality the thing desired. Faith is the substance of things we hope for.“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1)
On the other hand, faith without patience means many times we will fail to stand firm. Faith speaks about things that are not yet seen with our physical eyes.
Without the power of patience at work, we will allow sensory knowledge; “the things we see” to overwhelm our Faith.
The definition of patience is being constant or being the same way at all times. The bible encourages us to let patience have it’s perfect work, that we may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing, being single-minded, not doubting, but in faith. (James 1:2-8)
Faith is a powerful force. It is important however to understand that it is often not that our faith is weak and needs strength. Without the power of patience we ourselves stop the force of faith from working with negative confession and actions.
WE GET IMPATIENT – and our emotions instead of our spirits start to dictate our actions, speech and believing.
Romans 10:8 says, “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach)
When you are pressured, what is it that you speak? “For out of the mouth the heart speaks.
When we are pressured, and our natural eyes can see only defeat and failure, that is when our faith must speak, that is when our patience must undergird and persevere.
Patience causes us to wait and trust, patience helps us to be still and know that He is God, patience steadies us to keep our faith working.
When trials and tribulations comes -The Greek word translated for tribulations is Pressure)…when pressure comes we must go back to the faith we received from hearing and understanding God’s word and stand on that word.
“So then faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of God”. (Romans 10:16)
Pressure will try and shake you loose of God’s Word and the hope it gives. Satan loves to bring pressure. He will do everything he can to stir up things around you. He’ll try to get you into fear. He’ll push all of “your buttons” to try and get you to let go of what you are believing for.
However patience encourages us to stand. To NOT let go! Patience says “keep your eyes on the Word of God and what God has promised until it comes to pass”.
Patience undergirds faith and gives it endurance to persevere until the answer comes.
The bible speaks about a rest that comes through faith and patience. This rest enables us to trust God will answer, and come through for us. But that rest is gained by taking time to put God’s word in our mouths and in our hearts, causing our faith to grow. “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest.” (Hebrews 4:11)
Don’t let go of what you are believing for. Base your faith in God’s word. Think on and speak His word, and know that God is faithful. For “through faith and patience we inherit the promises of God” (Hebrews 6:12)
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).
Prayer: Lord by faith and patience I inherit your promises. I stand in faith today, and put patience to work. I choose to remain constant and consistent as I believe. I believe your promises more than my circumstances and pressure. I ask you continue to give me strength and patience to stand. Thank you for this new day and your goodness towards me. In Jesus Name Amen.