Proverbs 28:1 says, “… the righteous are bold as a lion.” and in Hebrews 4:16 we’re told to come boldly before God’s throne in prayer. This is what Caleb did.
You can read about Caleb in Joshua chapter 14 verses 7-14 , and interestingly enough, the name Caleb means “bold”. Here’s his story…
Caleb was 85 years old when the Israelites reached the promised land. He was one of only two men who had survived the 40 year wanderings in the desert. After being freed from slavery in Egypt, he and Joshua were chosen by Moses to spy out the land that God had promised them. There were 12 men in all, one for each tribe. When they returned from their travels, 10 of the spies were terrified, and reported that it would be impossible to defeat these cities because they considered themselves and their own people to be too small in comparison. But Joshua and Caleb believed that God had led them to this good land and had faith that He would give them the victory.
The people believed the 10 spies. God was angry with them and because of their unbelief, they would have to spend the next 40 years walking around the desert until they all died off, leaving only their children and grandchildren to be the ones who would inherit the promised land. But God honored the faith of Caleb and Joshua.
Joshua became the leader of his people after the death of Moses, leading them into the promised land, dividing the Jordan River, and marching onto victory in the battle of Jericho. Caleb now 85 years old had remained strong in faith, and courageous in battle. In the face of battle over the land that Moses had promised would be his inheritance, Caleb boldly responded, saying:
“… the LORD hath kept me alive, as He said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake His word to Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now lo, I am now eighty-five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: As my strength was then, even so is my strength now… Now therefore give me this mountain,… the LORD will be with me, then I will be able to drive (the inhabitants) out, as the LORD said…Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb.”
He got what he wanted. Caleb was bold in his faith as a young man, and even as an old man. He knew that there was nothing too big to ask God for, and his boldness is evidence of that faith.
By faith, we are the righteousness of God in Christ, and “the righteous are as bold as a lion.”
Faithrises 
Wouldn’t it be great if more of today’s Christians would be “as bold as a lion” and, instead of living life in the stands, they stormed the field and did something to turn the game around? And do it while being “harmless as doves” as Matthew 10:16 says, too. How do you be a dove and a lion at the same time, anyway? I guess we should look to Jesus’ example in that; he was a man of boldness and a man of love. If we could find the right setting to turn our dials to, we could make a huge impact, we could change the world.
I love this story, though when I read it previously, I confess it made me a bit nervous–I suspect I’d have been among the fearful doubters; and in reality, I did wander about 40 years in my own desert (and without benefit of other wandering companions). So I love Caleb and Joshua, admire them greatly–and thank God for His grace and willingness to haul me out of Egypt a couple years ago. Oddly enough, He says I’ve still got plenty of time to be a lion–who knew? God bless you BIG.
Well said! Makes you want to stop and think doesn’t it? Thanks for sharing. :)
God bless you, and thank you for your openness and for sharing a little of your story. Inspiring! :)
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I think it’s also interesting that Caleb had to wait based on others’ unbelief. That had to be hard, and yet he was still faithful.
November 8th… Just let Jesus take over!