Judges 6:11-40

Luke 1:26-56

Acts 13:1-5

Hebrews 11:8-10

John 14:15-31

1 Thess.5:24

What do these verses tell us about the return of Christ?

In what ways do the passages describe the need to be ready?

What actions accompany those who believe in and are preparing for His coming?

What is the Spirit showing the Church or ourselves regarding our need to live awake and respond in obedience to God’s calling?

Let’s pick up where we left off with Caleb and the hill country. In Joshua 14 and 15 we read that Joshua blessed Caleb and gave him the land of Hebron because he wholly followed the Lord, the God of Israel. And Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak (the big, scary dudes). In the course of the conquest, he declares that to the one who takes territory alongside him, he would give his daughter, his pride and joy, Achsah as his wife. Othniel proves to be such a man and he marries Achsah. But Achsah has the spirit of her father, the spirit that he taught and modeled and imparted to her throughout all those years of wandering in the wilderness. While Othniel is content with the portion of land they have been given, Achsah believes for more and so goes to her father. “Father, give me a blessing. Since you have given me the land of the Negeb, give me also springs of water.” Like her father who had in his heart the hill country, she has in her heart the springs. And so what does Dad do? He gives her more than she asked for, the upper and the lower springs. 

Both Caleb and Achsah model bold obedience to the call of God that he has put on their hearts. When it is time to go for it, they are ready. And how is it that they are ready? Because they have maintained general obedience in those things that keep them alert and tethered to God. There is a general call to obedience that is true for all of his children, for all time: to love him, to remain in his word, to believe in his character, to trust him, to cling to him. These obediences position us to be alert to a specific calling, some hill country, some spring of water that God has laid on our hearts, something, someone, that creates an ache within such that we would come to the Father and ask for it boldly. What is that for you? 

General obedience lays the groundwork for a specific calling. Whoever is faithful in little, is prepared and positioned to be faithful in much. 

Perhaps as you read this, you are reminded of a hill country. Perhaps it was 45 years ago that you saw it, but now after all these years, here it is again. Is it time to go and ask the Father to bless you and through his strength grant you that for which you have longed?

In the account of going up to possess the land, there were those who, unlike Caleb, were less eager, less bold. In Joshua 18 we read that there were seven out of the twelve tribes of Israel whose inheritance had not yet been apportioned. Joshua exhorts them to rise up. “How long will you put off going in to take possession of the land, which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?” After this kick in the pants, Joshua then gives them stepwise instructions on how to get going. 

Some of us are like Caleb and Achsah. Others, and I would say more of us, are like the seven tribes of Israel, who need exhorting, encouragement and instruction in obedience to move toward that which God has given. Timothy was such a man. Where Paul was a Caleb, Timothy was entirely faithful in general obedience but less bold in his specific calling. Paul reminds Timothy that God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and a sound mind. “Fan into flame the gift of God that is within you.”

These words immediately bring to mind our woodstove. Before going to bed, we stoke the stove with fuel and then shut down the air flow so that it burns slowly throughout the night. In the morning under the ash there is a bed of glowing embers but no flame. It is time to stir the coals, gather them, blow on them and gradually add more fuel as we fan the fire into flame to heat the house for the day. 

How was Timothy to fan into flame the gift and calling of God? Invite the Holy Spirit to fill him and work through him, gather with others for encouragement and prayer, remember God’s word and God’s promises and take the first small steps of obedience toward the hill country. In this study we looked at other people in scripture, Mary, Abraham, Gideon, Jesus’ disciples, Paul and Barnabas. Each of these took steps of obedience as God led them forward in His calling for their lives. Each of these was able to take the next step by maintaining their general calls of obedience to abide and follow. 

What is your hill country? It could be your family, one child, a child you sponsor in another country, an elderly neighbor you serve,  people you pray for, a ministry, a business, writing notes of encouragement… All of this is to say, there is no calling too small or too big. It is all about obedience and it is all to bring glory to the God who leads us. 

As we awaken to obedience, is God blowing on the embers of His calling in your life? Will you trust him to say yes and take the first step?