Give Me This Mountain: Seeking Life’s Hardest Challenges Like Caleb

When the Israelites had entered into the land promised by the Lord, Caleb came to Joshua with a request. In fact, it was both a request and a demand. He said,

Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me on that day. Although the Anakim are there and their cities are large and fortified, perhaps the LORD will be with me, and I will drive them out as the LORD has spoken - (Joshua 14:12 BSB).

Notice what Caleb asked for. He was not asking for the valley. He was not asking for the plain. He was asking for the hardest place, the toughest challenge that could be faced. Why? Because by the grace of God, he still had strength. He said,

Today I am still as strong as the day Moses sent me out; I am just as ready to go out now and battle as I was then - (Joshua 14:11 BSB).

Forty-five years earlier, he had been one of the spies, along with Joshua, who brought back a good report. He was one who said,

If the LORD delights in us, He will bring us into this land - (Numbers 14:8 BSB).

And now, at eighty-five years old, he was standing in the same land and saying, “Give me the hardest challenge.”

This is a lesson for us. Too often, as Christians, we want the easy life. Instead of praying for the strength to meet the challenges of life, we pray for an easy way out. We think because we pray, we should have everything smooth—no frustrations, no disappointments. The moment something goes wrong, we question God, the pastor, and the church.

We need to be like Caleb. Every hero in the Bible matured through some form of challenge.

Take Joseph. He was a favored son. But he went through abandonment, slavery, false accusation, and imprisonment. Yet, when he came through on the other side, he said, “God has planned it for good, in order to keep this people alive” (Genesis 50:20 BSB).

He matured through the challenge.

Take Moses. Raised in Pharaoh’s palace, he thought he could do anything. But God stripped him of privilege and sent him into isolation in the desert. Only then did God call him and make him the deliverer of Israel.

Take David. Anointed as king, but immediately after the anointing, he faced years of running from Saul. He was insulted, cursed, and hunted down. Yet, when someone called him a dog and hurled curses, he said, “Leave him alone; let him curse me, for the LORD has told him so. Perhaps the LORD will see my affliction and repay me with good” (2 Samuel 16:11–12 BSB). That is maturity. David did not inherit the throne as the entitled son of a king. He grew into it through suffering.

Even in the New Testament we see the same. Peter was scolded by Jesus, often rash, often stumbling. Yet through failure, correction, and perseverance, he became the rock on which the church was built.

Every hero of faith went through challenge. But today, many of us do not want to take up any challenge. So we must ask ourselves: what is the hardest challenge we can take up for the Lord, for the church, and commit ourselves to it?

Psalm 23 is often quoted for comfort, but notice the pattern. “He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name” (Psalm 23:3 BSB). Immediately after comes, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me” (v. 4). Only after passing through the valley do we see the table prepared, the anointing with oil, the overflowing cup, and the confession, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (vv. 5–6). The blessing comes after the darkest valley.

So what lessons can we learn from Caleb?

# 1. Wait for the promise

Caleb waited over forty five years. Waiting is one of the hardest things we can do. David waited after his anointing. Joseph waited in prison. The disciples waited in Jerusalem after the resurrection because Jesus told them, “But stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49 BSB). Isaiah says, “But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles” (Isaiah 40:31 BSB). Waiting is not passive. It is active, declaring that the Lord is faithful and His promise will come to pass.

# 2. Silently prepare for the promise

Waiting does not mean forgetting. Caleb must have kept himself fit for the day he would inherit. David said, “He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze” (Psalm 18:34 BSB). Proverbs says, “The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD” (Proverbs 21:31 BSB). Paul writes, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear” (1 Corinthians 10:13 BSB). God equips us, but we must also prepare ourselves. Read the Word. Ask for wisdom. Train yourself in faith.

# 3. Act courageously and decisively

When Joshua began dividing the land, Caleb stepped forward boldly and asked. He did not hide behind false humility. Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7 BSB). Peter acted when the Spirit came upon him, healing the lame man at the temple and preaching boldly. When shown a vision, he went to Cornelius’ house and declared the gospel. Faith is not idle. When the moment comes, act courageously.

# Creation is waiting for you

Paul says in Romans, “The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God” (Romans 8:19 BSB). The world is waiting for men and women who, like Caleb, are not content with mediocrity but will rise up with courage, conviction, and clarity to face the hardest challenges.

So my prayer is this: may the Lord show you the promise He has for you. And may you ask Him, “Lord, give me the anointing of Caleb. Give me the mountain. Give me the hardest challenge You have for me. Let me be a testimony for You.”

That is when your life will be fulfilling, meaningful, and memorable, impacting everyone around you.

God bless.

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