09/19/2007 - 09/19/2007

What's in a Name?

We mourn the loss of Caleb Roosma. He was greatly anticipated, already loved and now he's gone.

At times like this we have many questions, but I'm thankful that as a Christian we have someone to whom we can direct our questions. So many people who struggle with the brokenness in the world have questions but have no where to go with their questions. Christians present questions to God. When you're swimming in the ocean, there's hope if you can see land. Christians have land in sight and even though we fight the waves of the sea at least we see the shoreline

I love the name Caleb. In the book of Numbers we read about the people of God traveling through the wilderness towards the Promised Land. As they approach the Promised Land they send 12 spies into the Promised Land to search it out in preparation for their entry. They come back extolling the virtues of the Promised Land, it’s beautiful, perfect, flowing with milk and honey. But 10 of the 12 spies say the task of entering is too difficult, the obstacles too great, we will not get into the Promised Land. 10 of12 said, “We can not do it.” But 2 of 12 said yes we can and one of those 2 was Caleb. Caleb says in Numbers 14:

“The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good… do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”

The name Caleb reminds me that even though the obstacles to enterning the promised land appear to be insurmountable, it is not impossible. The Lord is with us, do not be afraid.

Caleb says it all.