God Has a Mountain for You

Grasshoppers. Giants. Gray hairs. What do these have in common? These are the obstacles an 85 year old spy overcame to conquer his enemies to possess his inheritance. 

His name means whole hearted, or brave. He was a leader of the tribe of Judah and he had a heart for God. He was 40 years old when God promised him his mountain. He and Joshua were the only spies sent into Canaan who returned to the wilderness of Paran with a positive report of the Promised Land. 

Like the other spies which Moses sent into Canaan, Caleb saw the giants, the fortified cities, and the strong men. Unlike the other spies, Caleb trusted God and encouraged the Children of Israel to take the land. But they were afraid and refused to fight for their inheritance, so God denied them entrance into the Promised Land. Consequently, Caleb dwelt in the desert with the Children of Israel 40 years waiting to overcome the obstacles to conquer his mountain. It takes character to wait 40 years. Because he had confidence in God, Caleb remained steadfast in his faith and overcame obstacles to claim his mountain. 

OBSTACLE 1: GRASSHOPPER COMPLEX

When the spies returned to the desert after 40 days of searching Canaan, the Bible says that Caleb and Joshua gave good reports. In Numbers 13:33 the other spies reported differently: 

“And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.”  

The giants saw the spies as grasshoppers. The spies saw themselves as grasshoppers, and they said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” (See Numbers 13:31). 

So, the people cried and murmured against Moses; Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before God; Caleb and Joshua ripped their clothes; and God sentenced them all to desert confinement without parole for 40 years.  

A grasshopper complex causes one to think of him or herself as too small, weak, or inferior to fight and conquer their giants. A grasshopper complex causes one to follow the crowd rather than stand alone to pursue what’s in their heart. People who have a grasshopper complex retreat to the desert where there are no giants. They are scared by the size of their problems. Too many Christians today fail to get the victory because they have a grasshopper complex.

OBSTACLE 2: GIANTS

There were strong, giant men who had to be defeated before the Israelites could possess their inheritance. The 10 spies were sore afraid of them and they said, ‘the land eateth up the inhabitants’ (see Numbers 13:32). 

But Caleb remembered God’s promise to give them the land, and he stated so in Numbers 14:8-9: 

“If the Lord delight in us, then He will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defense is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not.” 

The 10 spies’ report was based upon facts, but Caleb’s report was grounded in faith.  Caleb spoke a prophetic word of victory. He had vision and hope. He could see in the spirit that God was with them; the giants’ defenses were torn down, and the giants themselves would be the source of the Israelites meat—their ticket to get wealth.

No giants of doubt, fear, nor sin should be able to stand before the Spirit-filled Christian. When God reveals your promised land, your mountain, He does not promise there will be no challenges to take it. There may be strong, giant men and vices on every border, but if God says this land belongs to you, go get it. Agree with God’s Word. Meditate on His Word. Speak His Word and get the victory over your giants. Learn to see things from God’s perspective and to have confidence in His vision for your life. Even if you don’t have confidence in yourself, have confidence in God (see Romans 10:17).

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

OBSTACLE 3: GRAY HAIRS

Caleb was 85 years old when he conquered and took possession of his mountain. At age 85 he was determined to live life to the fullest. When God makes a promise, He gives you the strength to claim it. God preserved Caleb for the possession and He preserved the possession for Caleb. 

Caleb’s courage helped him to overcome a grasshopper complex, giants, and gray hairs. He had character, confidence, and courage. His confidence led to courage. His courage led to victory. God has an inheritance for you too. Do you have the confidence and courage to claim it?

Caleb’s mountain, his inheritance was the land of Hebron. The word Hebron means community, or friendship. Your mountain might be a higher education, a business, a higher-paying job, or a ministry. Whatever your passion is, claim all of it. Caleb desired to have the whole mountain and all of the benefits that came with it, including the milk, honey, grapes and fellowship with God. 

You may be wondering what your inheritance is. If you have a relationship with God, ask Him to reveal His purpose for your life. Earnestly seek Him using available resources, including fasting and prayer, the Bible, the Holy Spirit, your pastor or ministry leader. 

Caleb waited 40-plus years to get His inheritance because of obstacles. How long will you wait? What obstacles are hindering you from claiming your blessing? Today, you can take the sword of the Spirit in one hand and the deed to your inheritance in the other hand and go get your inheritance!