Give Me This Mountain: Overcoming Obstacles to Inherit God’s Promises

Introduction

Life is filled with promises, challenges, and victories. The story of Caleb in Joshua 14:6-15 is a testament to perseverance, faith, and the fulfillment of God’s promises. 

At the age of 40, Caleb received a divine promise, and at 85, he boldly claimed it, proving that faith and persistence yield results. 

Similarly, the incredible journey of endurance swimmer Diana Nyad, who achieved her goal at age 64 after multiple failures, underscores the importance of never giving up.

This article explores the principles behind Caleb’s success and how we can apply them to claim our own mountains in life.

1. God’s Promise to Caleb at 40 Years

God’s promises are meant to be held onto, regardless of obstacles. Caleb was 40 years old when Moses assured him that he would inherit the land because of his unwavering faithfulness to God (Joshua 14:6-9). 

Despite opposition and doubt from others, Caleb remained steadfast in his belief.

God has always made promises to His people:

• Abraham was promised to be the father of many nations.
• Joseph received a vision of leadership.
• Joshua was promised victory over Jericho.

Likewise, God continues to give promises to His children today. Psalm 2:8 declares, “Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance.” However, receiving a promise is just the beginning; it requires faith and action to see it fulfilled.

2. Caleb’s Pursuit at 85 Years

Caleb did not let age, opposition, or obstacles deter him. Even at 85, he declared, “Give me this mountain!” (Joshua 14:10-12). He recognized that God had kept him strong for a purpose and was ready to fight for his inheritance.

Many people lose their promises because of:

• Disobedience – Saul lost his kingdom to David due to disobedience.
• Idolatry – Solomon turned away from God.
• Worldliness – Demas forsook Paul.
• Greed – Gehazi lost his blessing because of dishonesty.

Faithfulness to God ensures that we do not lose our promised inheritance. Habakkuk 2:3 reminds us that even if the vision tarries, we must wait for it because it will surely come.

3. Caleb’s Possession at 85 Years

Claiming God’s promises requires action. Although the land of Hebron was promised to Caleb, he still had to fight for it. Joshua 15:14-15 records that he drove out the giants and took possession of what God had given him.

To claim our promises, we must:

• Walk by Faith – “Fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12).
• Wrestle in Prayer – “You do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2-3).
• Stay Strong in the Lord – “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10).

Conclusion

Caleb’s story teaches us that perseverance, faith, and action are necessary to inherit God’s promises. 

Like Diana Nyad, who persisted despite failures, and Caleb, who held onto his promise for 45 years, we must remain steadfast and willing to fight for what God has spoken over our lives. 

Whatever your mountain is—be it a dream, a vision, or a calling—rise up with faith and declare, “Give me this mountain!”