Faithful Perseverance: Confronting Giants with God's Promises
Summary
It’s a joy to be with you today, sharing not only stories of friendship and family, but also the deep conviction that God is at work among us. Reflecting on the journey of Caleb, we see a man who stood out among his generation—not because he was blind to the challenges before him, but because he chose to see them through the lens of God’s faithfulness. When the Israelites reached the edge of the Promised Land, most saw only giants and obstacles, but Caleb remembered what God had said. He trusted that if God had promised something, no circumstance, no matter how daunting, could override that word.
Caleb’s life is a testimony to the power of holding onto God’s promises, even when disappointment and delay seem to define the years. For forty-five years, he wandered with a generation paralyzed by fear, yet he never let go of the conviction that God would fulfill His word. When the time finally came, Caleb, now eighty-five, didn’t choose comfort or retirement. Instead, he asked for the very hill country where the giants still lived, determined to finish the fight that was his to fight.
This story challenges us to ask: What has God said to us? Are we living by the shifting winds of circumstance, or are we anchored in the unchanging word of the Lord? Caleb’s faith was not rooted in his own strength or resources, but in the character of God. He reminds us that every generation has its giants—challenges and strongholds that must be faced, not left for the next generation to inherit. The temptation is always to settle for comfort, to leave the hard battles for someone else, but the call is to clear the way for those who come after us.
There are gifts and promises that God has given, which some of us may have set down along the way—perhaps out of disappointment, fear, or fatigue. Yet, the invitation remains: pick up what God has given you. Don’t let your giants become the giants of your children. Don’t let the promises of God gather dust. The fight is not just for our own sake, but for the sake of the kingdom and the generations to come. Let’s be a people who remember what God has said, who fight our battles in faith, and who leave a legacy of courage and obedience.
Key Takeaways
- See Through the Lens of God’s Promise, Not Your Circumstance
Caleb saw the same giants and fortified cities as everyone else, but his perspective was shaped by what God had promised, not by what seemed possible in human terms. Faith is not denial of reality, but a refusal to let reality define what God can do. When we look at our challenges through the lens of God’s faithfulness, we find courage to move forward where others see only defeat. [04:47]
- Faithfulness Means Holding On Through Disappointment and Delay
Caleb waited forty-five years to see the fulfillment of God’s promise, enduring decades of wandering because of others’ fear. Yet, he never let go of what God had spoken. True faith is not just about initial enthusiasm, but about perseverance—trusting that God’s word remains true, even when the timeline stretches far beyond our expectations. [06:37]
- Every Generation Has Its Own Giants to Face
It’s tempting to leave the hard battles for the next generation, but Caleb shows us that we are called to fight the giants of our own day. If we don’t, we risk passing on unfinished battles to our children, making their journey harder. Our legacy is shaped not by what we avoid, but by the giants we choose to confront for the sake of those who come after us. [15:53]
- Don’t Settle for Comfort or Compromise—Pursue All God Has Promised
Caleb could have chosen an easy retirement, but instead he asked for the hardest territory, still inhabited by giants. The call is to resist the lure of comfort and to press into all that God has for us, even when it requires courage and sacrifice. There is a holy dissatisfaction that refuses to settle for less than the fullness of God’s promise. [27:25]
- Pick Up the Gifts and Promises You’ve Set Down
Many of us have received gifts or promises from God that we’ve abandoned—perhaps out of disappointment, fear, or past failure. The invitation is to pick them up again, to use what God has given for the good of the body and the advance of His kingdom. The fight is not over as long as there is breath in our lungs; God is not done with us yet. [32:07]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Family Introductions and Church Planting
[02:30] - Heroes of the Faith: Introducing Caleb
[04:00] - The Twelve Spies and the Power of Perspective
[06:00] - Caleb’s Faith Versus the Fear of the Majority
[07:26] - Forty-Five Years of Waiting: Caleb’s Perseverance
[09:30] - Caleb’s Request: Give Me the Hill Country
[11:45] - God’s Faithfulness to His Word
[13:30] - Remember What the Lord Said
[15:09] - Every Generation Has a Giant
[16:31] - Hezekiah’s Compromise Versus Caleb’s Courage
[19:02] - The Legacy We Leave Behind
[20:15] - Fighting Giants That Aren’t Ours
[21:38] - The Unreached in Ireland: Our Present Giant
[24:49] - Fighting for the Next Generation
[27:25] - Refusing to Settle for Less
[32:07] - Picking Up Gifts and Promises Again
[33:19] - Final Encouragement and Prayer
[34:23] - Closing and Blessing
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Caleb: Holding On to God’s Promises”
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### Bible Reading
1. Numbers 13:26–33 (ESV)
> And they came to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the people of Israel in the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh. They brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. And they told him, “We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. And besides, we saw the descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the Negeb. The Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the hill country. And the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and along the Jordan.” But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” Then the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.” So they brought to the people of Israel a bad report of the land that they had spied out, saying, “The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people that we saw in it are of great height. And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.”
2. Joshua 14:6–14 (ESV)
> Then the people of Judah came to Joshua at Gilgal. And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God in Kadesh-barnea concerning you and me. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought him word again as it was in my heart. But my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt; yet I wholly followed the LORD my God. And Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance for you and your children forever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my God.’ And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, just as he said, these forty-five years since the time that the LORD spoke this word to Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness. And now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old. I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming. So now give me this hill country of which the LORD spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the LORD said.” Then Joshua blessed him, and he gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance. Therefore Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the LORD, the God of Israel.
3. 2 Timothy 2:13 (ESV)
> If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.
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### Observation Questions
1. What was different about Caleb’s perspective compared to the other spies when they saw the land and its inhabitants? (Numbers 13:30)
2. According to Joshua 14, how long did Caleb wait to see God’s promise fulfilled, and how did he describe his attitude during those years? (Joshua 14:10–12)
3. In the sermon, what does the pastor say is the foundation of Caleb’s life and faith? [07:26]
4. What does 2 Timothy 2:13 say about God’s faithfulness, even when people are unfaithful?
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Caleb was able to see the same giants and obstacles as everyone else, but respond with faith instead of fear? [04:47]
2. The sermon mentions that Caleb waited 45 years for God’s promise. What does this teach about the nature of faith and perseverance? [06:37]
3. The pastor contrasts Caleb with King Hezekiah, who chose comfort over fighting for the next generation. What are the dangers of leaving our “giants” for others to face? [15:53]
4. What does it mean to “pick up the gifts and promises you’ve set down,” and why is this important for the church and future generations? [32:07]
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### Application Questions
1. Think about a challenge or “giant” you are facing right now. Are you looking at it through the lens of your own ability, or through the lens of God’s promises? What would it look like to shift your perspective? [04:47]
2. Have you ever experienced disappointment or delay in seeing God’s promises fulfilled in your life? How did you respond, and what might it look like to persevere like Caleb? [06:37]
3. Are there any “giants” in your family, church, or community that you are tempted to leave for the next generation to deal with? What would it mean to take responsibility for them now? [15:53]
4. The sermon challenges us not to settle for comfort or compromise. Is there an area of your life where you have chosen comfort over courage? What is one step you could take this week to pursue all that God has for you? [27:25]
5. Is there a gift, calling, or promise from God that you have set down because of disappointment, fear, or fatigue? What would it look like to “pick it up” again and use it for the good of others? [32:07]
6. The pastor shared about fighting the giants of his own generation so his children wouldn’t have to. Who are the “next generation” in your life, and how can you clear a path for them spiritually? [24:49]
7. Caleb’s faith was rooted in remembering what God had said. What is one promise from God’s Word that you need to hold onto this week? How can you remind yourself of it daily? [07:26]
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Devotional
Day 1: Seeing Through the Lens of God’s Promise
Caleb saw the same giants and fortified cities as the other spies, but his perspective was shaped by God’s promise rather than his own limitations; he trusted that if God had said it, then it would come to pass, regardless of the obstacles. Caleb’s faith was not rooted in his own strength or resources, but in the unchanging faithfulness of God who had already delivered Israel from Egypt, parted the Red Sea, and sustained them in the wilderness. When faced with daunting challenges, it is easy to focus on what we lack or the size of the opposition, but faith calls us to remember what God has already done and to look at our circumstances through the lens of His power and promises. The difference between fear and faith is often the lens through which we view our situation—will we see giants, or will we see the God who is greater than any giant? [04:47]
Numbers 13:27-33 (ESV)
And they told him, “We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. And besides, we saw the descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the Negeb. The Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the hill country. And the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and along the Jordan.” But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” Then the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.” So they brought to the people of Israel a bad report of the land that they had spied out, saying, “The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people that we saw in it are of great height. And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.”
Reflection: What is one situation in your life right now where you are tempted to focus on your own limitations or the size of the challenge, rather than on what God has promised? How can you intentionally shift your perspective to see it through the lens of God’s faithfulness today?
Day 2: Remember What the Lord Said
Caleb’s unwavering conviction was anchored in the words God had spoken to him decades earlier; even after 45 years of waiting, disappointment, and change, he held tightly to the promise, refusing to let shifting circumstances or the passage of time shake his faith. The call is to root our faith not in our emotions, circumstances, or the opinions of others, but in the unchanging word of God—He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and every promise He makes, He keeps. When everything around us changes, when we feel weary or uncertain, we are invited to ask ourselves: “What did the Lord say?” and to let that be the foundation of our hope and action. God’s faithfulness is not dependent on our faithfulness; even when we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. [07:26]
Joshua 14:6-12 (ESV)
Then the people of Judah came to Joshua at Gilgal. And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the Lord said to Moses the man of God in Kadesh-barnea concerning you and me. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought him word again as it was in my heart. But my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt; yet I wholly followed the Lord my God. And Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance for you and your children forever, because you have wholly followed the Lord my God.’ And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, just as he said, these forty-five years since the time that the Lord spoke this word to Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness. And now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old. I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming. So now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the Lord said.”
Reflection: Is there a promise or word from God that you have set aside or forgotten because of disappointment or the passage of time? What would it look like to pick it up again and let it shape your prayers and actions this week?
Day 3: Every Generation Has Its Giants
Each generation faces its own unique challenges and “giants,” and the call is not to leave our battles for the next generation to fight, but to courageously confront them so that those who come after us can inherit more of God’s promises. Caleb refused to settle for comfort or to pass his giants on to others; instead, he chose to fight for the sake of the next generation, clearing a path so they would not have to face the same obstacles. In contrast, King Hezekiah chose personal peace and comfort, even when he knew hardship was coming for his descendants, showing the danger of prioritizing our own ease over the legacy we leave. We are invited to ask ourselves what giants we are called to face in our day—whether in our families, churches, or communities—and to fight them with faith, so that the next generation can step into greater freedom and blessing. [15:53]
2 Kings 20:16-19 (ESV)
Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord: Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the Lord. And some of your own sons, who shall be born to you, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Why not, if there will be peace and security in my days?”
Reflection: What is one “giant” in your life, family, or community that you are tempted to ignore or leave for others to deal with? What step can you take today to begin facing it, so that those who come after you will not have to fight the same battle?
Day 4: Don’t Set Down Your Gift
God gives each of us gifts and callings not just for our own benefit, but for the good of the body of Christ and the advancement of His kingdom; yet, it is easy to set them down because of disappointment, fear, or past hurt. The Lord is inviting you to pick up again what He has given you—whether it is a spiritual gift, a calling, or a promise—and to use it for the sake of others, even if it feels risky or uncomfortable. Sometimes we set aside what God has given us, thinking it is no longer needed or that someone else will do it, but the gifts and callings of God are irrevocable and meant to be stewarded for His glory. There is still a purpose for your gift, and the Lord is not done with you; He is calling you to dust it off, step out in faith, and serve again. [32:07]
Romans 12:6-8 (ESV)
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Reflection: Is there a gift, calling, or area of service that you have set down or neglected? What would it look like to pick it up again and use it to bless others this week?
Day 5: Choosing Courage Over Comfort
The temptation to settle for comfort, compromise, or “just enough” is strong, but God calls us to pursue all that He has promised, even when it means facing giants and stepping out of our comfort zones. Caleb’s example challenges us to keep fighting for the fullness of God’s purposes in our lives and communities, refusing to let fear, age, or disappointment hold us back. The Lord is not finished with you—as long as you have breath, there is still a fight and a purpose for you, and He is with you in every battle. Imagine what God could do if you chose to believe Him for more, to chase down every promise, and to clear the way for others to know Him and experience His kingdom. [33:19]
Philippians 3:12-14 (ESV)
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Reflection: Where have you been tempted to settle for comfort or compromise instead of pressing on for all that God has for you? What is one bold step you can take today to pursue His promise with courage?
Quotes
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