Pursue with Passion

Based on Joshua 13-15, Psalms 42-43

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance."
Psalms 42:5

In a recent post, we talked about fighting on. About going forward with God's plan, no matter what. This is a continuation of that thought-to not only pursue without giving up, but to pursue with PASSION. Joshua & Caleb were men who kept going in a passionate service to The Lord, and Jesus was ultimately The One who wore His heart, exposed by His Blood, outside of His broken body for the world to see. It is beyond sobering to focus on what Christ did for us, and the valor and passion of these Old Testament men led up to that (although none can compare to taking on the sin of humanity)!

Our soul doesn't have to fear what feat we may face. As Scripture states, we must hope in God! Turn the fear into a passion to move forward!

"These are the countries which Moses did distribute for inheritance in the plains of Moab, on the other side Jordan, by Jericho, eastward." Joshua 13:32

These chapters list the areas which Joshua and the tribes divided for an inheritance. It was a list filled with victory after victory of conquered lands. Remember, we are more than conquerors and we too can defeat the things in our lives that hinder our passion for living for God! Just think of how much He has done for us-sin doesn't measure up to the Savior our God Jesus is!

"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."
Romans 8:37

"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, for war, both to go out, and to come in. Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said." Joshua 14:11‭-‬12

Caleb was getting older, but he assured Joshua that he didn't want to let that stop him from pursuing his mountain-what a passion! He even says he has the same strength-and that's probably because he had the same God! God never runs out of strength for us. He also never runs out of passion to pursue us, just like we pursue mountains in our lives which we must overcome. God's greatest mountain is His passionate pursuit of His people, you and me! He approached the cross at Calvary with most likely a similar mentality-"now therefore give me this mountain!"

"And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife. And it came to pass, as she came unto him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wouldest thou? Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs." Joshua 15:17‭-‬19

Othniel also won a great victory for The Lord, and in winning over yet another area, Caleb gave him his daughter Achsah to wife. She herself also had a passionate pursuit-while she was appreciative of gaining the south land, she also wanted the springs of water too. Theres nothing wrong with going a little further and having a passion in The Lord's promises!

"As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God." Psalms 42:1

We may grow old physically, but spiritually, we can do exploits, just like Caleb! Just like Achsah's heart desired the springs of water, there was also a desire for the blessings & promises of God to be manifested in her life. We too can have that same passion to keep running this race. Jesus is our God & our ultimate prize-we were on His mind on Calvary. He deserves all our passion!!!

"O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles." Psalms 43:3

The Light & Truth made His way to the cross for us...we must pursue Him with a loving passion, allowing His Light & Truth to shine forth into this world...to spark passion for Christ into the next soul!