When Caleb was 40 years old, the Lord said through Moses that the land he had trampled as a faithful spy who wholly followed the Lord would be given to him and his descendants (Numbers 14:24). After 45 years, Caleb makes a demand to Joshua as given in our opening scripture, registering his determination to take the land. There were inhabitants already in the land and that meant he would have to fight to take over. This was a man of 85 years and yet very determined to take over the land. In Joshua 14:11 (AMPC), he vocalized his determination, "Yet I am as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me; as my strength was then, so is my strength now for war and to go out and to come in". A determined heart doesn't entertain excuses. Consequently, Joshua blessed him and gave him Hebron. Upon getting there, he truly fought. Joshua 15:14 (ESV) records, "And Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak, Sheshai and Ahiman and Talmai, the descendants of Anak". With such determination, he drove out the sons of the giants occupying the land.

How determined are you in accomplishing God's purpose? How determined are you in accomplishing your set goals in this year? Caleb's determination was not just wishful thinking or in words only. He substantiated it with daring and fearless actions. In Psalm 18:37 David testifies about his determination, "I pursued my enemies and overtook them, and did not turn back till they were consumed". There are those who start something and easily fizzle out along the way because they lack determination.

Luke 9:51 (AMP) shows us Jesus' determination in completing God's mission, "Now when the time was approaching for Him to be taken up [to heaven], He was determined to go to Jerusalem [to fulfill His purpose]. As a child of God, the tool of faith and the dear ministry of the Holy Spirit at your disposal helps you to have such resoluteness. Visions and plans remain on paper, dusted and unachieved, in the absence of determination. For Caleb at 85, it was not too late to take over his inheritance. Don't allow excuses, go and take over the land in Jesus name.