Press the arrow to listen to this worship song while you read today’s devotion.

Vineyard UK All Who are Thirsty

Scripture
Caleb said, “I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage to the one who attacks and captures Kiriath-sepher.” Othniel, the son of Caleb’s younger brother, Kenaz, was the one who conquered it, so Acsah became Othniel’s wife.

When Acsah married Othniel, she urged him to ask her father for a field. As she got down off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What’s the matter?”

She said, “Let me have another gift. You have already given me land in the Negev; now please give me springs of water, too.” So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs. Joshua 1:12-15

Observation
This little real estate story from the life of Caleb is an odd bit of trivia to record in the Bible. It is listed for us twice, both here in Judges as well as in Joshua. Like so many other places in the Bible, I find myself wondering why it is given so much page space. I come to the conclusion yet again that if God repeats soemthing, then the story must be significant for us to learn from.

Caleb was the weathered old warrior who kept a dream alive for 45 years until he saw it fulfilled in his retirement. But this story shows us another side of the geriatric general. Caleb was a gracious man too. He gave away generous rewards to those who shared his zealous heart. To the one who fought a battle he gave precious land. To his daughter he gave a gift even before she asked. Caleb had not only remained passionate he had also managed to remain compassionate as well. Passion and compassion are an outstanding combination.

Acsah was a determined daughter. She took a risk to ask for more. She and her husband had been given land, but it was dry land. Like a good wife who wants her husband to succeed, Acsah wanted her man to have all that he needed to excell. She astutely perceived the need for water. What was more, Acsah had the courage to go to her father and do the ask. Others may have tried to survive in the desert on a few scattered raindrops, but she asked for refreshment in the desert place.

Application
When I read this story, I see something of God in Caleb and us in Acsah. The Lord is a generous God, especially to those who share his heart of adventure and risk for things that are eternal and significant. There are times God gifts to us the desert place. There is room to live, but nothing to drink. Too often we are content with that, when the Lord would give more if we would but ask. That is where our faith comes in to ask the Lord for more. We should not be reluctant, for he wants to generously give to us. There is a freedom for us to ask for water to be added to our dry desert. I want to ask more of the Lord, for he is more kind than I could understand.

Prayer
Father, today thank you for desert places, for it is here that desire is created. That would not happen in lush environments. You have give to us land in the desert, now give to us springs of water as well. Amen.