“Godley Influence”

BIBLE READING: Joshua 15-18

            The springs mentioned here in Joshua 15 are still flowing today in the modern city of Debir, where 100s of gallons of water per minute pour from them. Since the area around Debir is dry and barren, the possession of the springs of water around them was important for crops and livestock. Embedded here we find a great story of Caleb’s positive influence of boldness on others. Caleb promised his daughter, Achsah, in marriage to the man that took one of the strong Canaanite cities. His attitude had always been “We can do it. We can conquer these cities. Our God goes before us.” His nephew Othniel had seen the results of faith in his uncle Caleb’s life, and that influence helped give him the victory over the city and gain him a young bride. And it seems that Achsah, Caleb’s daughter, was also a woman of bold faith.

As a new bride, Achsah came back to her father to ask for his spiritual blessing on her life and marriage. She knew she needed God’s blessing on her life. Her father’s influence on her was apparent as she boldly asked for the gift of the springs of water. She wasn’t afraid to ask for the best of the best in that place. Caleb became a source of godly encouragement, positive spiritual influence, and courageous strength to his whole family. We find in the period of the judges, that this same Othniel became the first champion-judge God raised up to lead the nation, and he continued to walk in his family’s heritage of fearless-spiritual leadership. What a model of godly, spiritual leadership, serving as a positive influence for generations to come.

“LORD, we want to be godly men and women who influence others for Your Kingdom this day.”                                                                       -Selected from Ed Rea