“My servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it” (Numbers 14:24).
DIFFERENT SPIRIT
Ten of the twelve spies had a spirit that faltered, a heart that was half-hearted and a doubtful disposition. Caleb and Joshua were different, their faith, hope and strength were placed squarely in the God who had rescued the children of Israel from the Egyptians, and Joshua and Caleb believed that God was able to see them all the way through to the promised land.
The ten doubters had their doubts confirmed because they did not enter into the promised land but died in the Sinai wilderness. However, Joshua and Caleb had their faith confirmed because they did indeed make it all the way into the land of Canaan.
There was a different spirit dwelling in the ten compared to the two. The human spirit is greatly helped by the Holy Spirit, and through the Spirit of God we are able to accomplish great feats.
We read that Daniel also had this good spirit—"Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom” (Dan 6:3).
How wonderful to have an excellent spirit. Daniel had one, and it was noticed by the king.
“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings” (Prov 22:29).
A man with an excellent spirit pays attention to small duties and large, he doesn’t cut corners, or cheat to make himself look better. He doesn’t sweep the dirt under the carpet for someone else to deal with. He makes plans and does his level best to adhere to those plans.
A part of Daniel’s routine was praying: Daniel prayed three times a day, a habit he continued even when a decree outlawed prayer.
An excellent man will find favour with God and men. “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52).
Yes, with “men” too, but not all men. Especially when an excellent man or woman’s allegiance to God conflicts with some men’s plans or some men’s pride. We must always put God first.
Peter and John were hauled up in front of the rulers of the people. But their defence was, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him?” (Acts 4:19).
The two disciples laid it on the line for the rulers even though they may well offend them, Peter and John continued, “As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).
Peter and John had an excellent spirit. And we notice that this excellency of spirit, this courage to face men came upon them after the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out on men.
Jesus said, “’Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’ By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive” (John 7:38–39).
We pray that we too will have an excellent spirit.