Reflection
In today's readings, we see both the fulfillment of God's promises in Joshua and the transformative power of faith in Luke. Joshua 14-17 details the distribution of land to the tribes of Israel, with special attention to Caleb, who at 85 years old, still displays remarkable faith and vigor as he claims his inheritance. In Luke 17, Jesus teaches about faith, forgiveness, gratitude, and the coming of God's kingdom.

The key insight we can draw from these passages is this: Faithful obedience to God requires both persistent confidence in His promises and a humble recognition of our dependence on His grace.

Let's break this down into a simple principle we can apply:

Cultivate both bold faith that claims God's promises and humble gratitude that acknowledges His grace.

Here are five practical steps we can take to apply today's readings:

1. Claim God's promises: Like Caleb, identify a promise from God that you need to claim with confidence today.

2. Practice radical forgiveness: Following Jesus' instruction in Luke 17, commit to forgiving someone who has wronged you, even if it feels difficult.

3. Express gratitude: Like the one healed leper who returned to Jesus, take time to specifically thank God for His healing and provision in your life.

4. Serve without entitlement: Remember Jesus' words about servants simply doing their duty, and approach your responsibilities today with humility.

5. Remain watchful: Consider Jesus' teaching about His return, and reflect on one way you can live more alert to God's kingdom today.

As you go about your day, reflect on this question: How can you balance bold, mountain-claiming faith with humble, grateful service in your walk with God?

Conclusion
Thank you for joining me today. These passages remind us that the life of faith involves both the boldness to claim what God has promised and the humility to recognize that everything we receive is by His grace. Until tomorrow, may you walk with both confidence in God's promises and gratitude for His undeserved kindness.