Majority Report

By Donnie O’Fallon

“Now behold the Lord has let live, just as He spoke, these forty-five years, from the time the Lord spoke this word to Moses, when Israel walked in the wilderness; and behold I am eighty-five years old today. I am still as strong today as I was in the day, Moses sent me; as my strength was then, so it is now, for war and for going out and for coming in. Now then, (give me that mountain) this hill country which the Lord spoke of on that day…”
Joshua 14:10-12 NAS

This passage records the words of Caleb, one of the 12 spies that went into the promise land of Canaan. Ten of the spies brought back the Majority Report, “there’s giant in the land, we can’t possess it”! However, Caleb and Joshua brought back the Minority Report, which said, “there are giants, but we can possess the land because God’s already given it to us so let’s go take it”! Caleb was not afraid of a mountain sized challenge because he knew he served a God who could move mountains! At age 85, he knew that God rewarded faithfulness so he said, “I want that mountain”! Caleb also knew God would not reward the faithlessness of the Majority Report. What should have taken a few days, took forty years of wondering. They, nor their off-springs, would possess the Promise Land.

 Like Caleb and Joshua, We Must have a Purposeful Activity and A Positive Attitude.

As I embark on a new responsibility as Baby Boomer and Senior Adult Pastor, I’m keenly aware of the fact that form the cradle to the grave we are to continue to fulfill The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). That’s ministry and missions; and The Great Commandment (Matthew 22:36-40), which is to love God, our neighbors and ourselves. As we age, we begin dealing with certain physical and for some, mental limitation. I want to begin addressing some of these issues so that we can remain as strong as we can, for as long as we can, and stay spiritually in tune with The Lord to fulfill His plan and purpose in us individually and as a church. Remember the Promise of Philippians 1:6 that says “For I am confident of this one thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus”. Just as Caleb said, “there is much land to be possessed”, I’m convinced God has a purpose for our lives right up to the very end. God can use us to mentor and disciple the younger generation and pass on the knowledge and experiences of life to them just as was true with Caleb, Joshua, Jesus to his disciples, Elijah to Elisha, Paul to Timothy and Titus to the younger generation then.

Like Caleb and Joshua, We Must Approach This Time with A Prayerful Appropriation.

You see, it is God Gods power in our lives that accomplishes what He desires in and through us. That’s His promise regardless of the problems. The ten said’ “they’re too big to hit, we might make really mad”, but Caleb said, “they’re too big to miss, God’s promised it, so let’s get on with it”. Paul says’ “My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus”. I love Isaiah words to God’s people, “Even to your old age I will be the same, and even to your graying years I will bear you! I have done it and I will carry you; and I will bear you and I will deliver you”, (Isaiah. 46: 4). Praying about every open door and every opportunity.

My Prayer for Us: “Lord teach us to number our days that we may that we may present you a heart for wisdom”, Psalm 90:12, Amen!