The land of Canaan was distributed among the twelve tribes of Israel. Through Caleb's faith (Num 13), the tribe of Judah was recognized as the prominent tribe, but that came with big responsibilities. First, they needed to fight and take possession of the allotted land from the Canaanites and set an example for the other tribes. Second, they needed to provide security to the other tribes from Israel's southern enemies: the Egyptians, the Philistines and the Edomites. God-pleasing-faith brings great blessings as well as responsibility to help and protect His people.

Caleb received a portion of the land of Judah as his inheritance, but first needed to drive out the Anakites. Caleb drove them out with God's help and then pressed on to the city of Debir. He offered his daughter Acsah in marriage to the man who would capture it with faith and courage. Othniel stepped forward, delivered Debir and took Acsah as his wife, but Judah could not drive out the Jebusites in Jerusalem. God promised the land, but they needed to claim it by an act of faith. God's promises are given to those who claim them by faith.


Application: Lord, help me to walk in obedience and faith to your word and cling to your promises.
One Word: Faith in action