Wholly Devoted to the Lord
- Emlyn Fonseca
- May 20
- 10 min read
Introduction & Background
Numbers 13-14: And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Send men, one from each tribe (12 in total), to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel. From each tribe of their fathers, you shall send a leader among them." So, Moses sent them from the Wilderness of Paran.
The spies spent forty days exploring Canaan, traveling through the Negev and up into the hill country (Numbers 13:21-25). Upon their return, they brought back evidence of the land’s abundant produce, including a cluster of grapes so large that it had to be carried by two men on a pole, as well as pomegranates and figs, confirming that the land was indeed “flowing with milk and honey” (Numbers 13:27).
However, the spies also reported unsettling details: the land was inhabited by powerful nations such as the Amalekites, Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites, and they noted the presence of giants, the descendants of the Nephilim (Numbers 13:28). Ten of the spies were overwhelmed by fear and spread a bad report, causing panic among the people. Despite this, Caleb sought to reassure the Israelites, urging them to trust in the Lord and take possession of the land.
Only Joshua and Caleb had confidence in God's promise and remained steadfast in their faith. Yet, the people heeded the bad report, which led to God’s condemnation. As a result, Israel was sentenced to wander in the wilderness for 40 years, one year for each day the spies had spent in Canaan.
The ten spies who spread the evil report were struck down by a plague before the Lord, and only Joshua and Caleb were spared (Numbers 14:38).
The Lord spared Caleb because "he...has followed Me fully" - Num 14:24
But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it.
Caleb was one of only three people in the Bible of whom it was said, they wholly followed the LORD. The others were Joshua (Num 32:11-12) and David (1 Kings 11:6).
Key Passage: Joshua 14:6-14, Tribes come to get their inheritance. Caleb bold demand for Hebron
On 6 separate occasions the Holy Spirit has recorded the fact that Caleb wholly followed the Lord. There were 3 witnesses to the fact that Caleb wholeheartedly followed the Lord
Witness | Scripture | Notes |
Caleb | Joshua 14:8 | This was not a sinful boast; it was a sincere testimony. |
Moses | Joshua 14: 9 | If we are wholly following the Lord we not only know it in our own hearts, but those around us know it also. What do our unconverted friends say about our following? |
The Lord | Num 14: 24, Joshua 14:14, Num 32:11,12 , Deut 1:36, | The supreme test, and the thing which matters most: what does the Lord say about my life and my following? |
What does ‘Wholly Devoted’ to the Lord mean?
Completely, totally, blameless & Wholly true, loyal, wholeheartedly, perfect with the Lord
Caleb followed the Lord wholly / was wholly devoted to the LORD …
All His Days – Commitment, Loyalty
He followed the Lord in the wilderness. He followed the Lord when he scouted/ spied the promised land. He followed the Lord in land of Canaan, 45 years later - Joshua 14:8-10
With all His Heart – Complete Surrender/Totality. Fully : Undivided.
Deut 6:5 commands, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” Here, “wholly” emphasizes not just a part or fraction of one’s being but the entirety of one’s existence, including emotional, spiritual, and physical commitment. The heart (lev) encompasses thoughts and intentions, soul (nephesh) refers to one’s very life essence.
Loving God with all our heart means desiring God over the things of this world.
Loving God with all our soul means trusting God more than we trust ourselves.
Loving God with all our mind means knowing God personally, intimately, and deeply.
Loving God with all our strength means serving God with our very best.
DESPITE THE HAZARDS – Constantly
At age 40 - He gave a good report along with Joshua when they spied the promised land , He was willing to face the wrath of his brethren , they came to stone them (Num 14:10)
Even at age 85 , he did not give up and ready to face the giants in the land to receive His God promised inheritance. His attitude was so different , he lived with purpose. He declared ‘I am still as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me; as my strength was then, so is my strength now, for war and for going out and coming in.‘ Outcome : Then the land had rest from war.
What is the secret of wholeheartedly following the Lord?
We cannot wholly follow the Lord in our own strength. Yet Caleb did wholly follow the Lord– so what is the secret? Numb 14: 24 reveals he had a different spirit in him. As NT Believers of Yeshua, we have the Spirit of Truth (Comforter - John 14:16) with us forever and with the Holy Spirit indwelling and infilling us we can then do as Caleb did – wholly, fully, follow Him, our glorious Lord!. We are clothed in the strength of God's might (Eph 3:16)
Caleb's faith was in the Lord, not himself. Joshua 14:12 At age 85 , he exclaims – ‘Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the Lord said.’ Just like Caleb we too can follow the Lord wholly when we keep our eye on Jesus who is the author and perfector of our faith and who promised to never leave us nor forsake us. Heb 12:2.
What did Jesus say about this? Which is the greatest commandment? Mark 12:28-33
“The first of all the commandments is: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. Second : You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
V33 - To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices
NOTE: We can obey God without loving Him, but when we love Him, obedience will follow.
The Lord should have access to ALL of our heart and not just portions of it. To devote yourself to the Lord begins with a decision. We keep His commandments not out of compulsion but out of love – He first loved us and we respond to His perfect love. To stay devoted also is a decision.
Is it possible to serve more than 1 Master? During the sermon on the mount, Jesus tells us we cannot serve two masters. If we try, we'll be devoted to one, and despise the other. "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth/mammon" (Matt. 6:24).
As believers in Jesus, we can be devoted to many things in this life. Our most important devotion is to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He alone is our Master. The Lord is calling us to do away with a divided devotion and commit to being wholly devoted to Him.
What are some practical ways we can be wholly devoted to the Lord?
Devoted by Keeping God's Commandments. Romans 12:1-2
Keep in mind the rich mercy of God to you – past, present, and future , as royal priests we are to present our bodies – our entire being not just our service/work to altar of God as a living sacrifice. We may do all kinds of work for God, but never give Him our self. Our sacrifice is to be daily constantly ongoing because it stays alive at the altar and Holy and acceptable to the Lord (without blemish). So, whether you are in your youth , middle age or old age – this is applicable as we follow the Lord all the days of our life. We cannot do it on our own – like Caleb we need to have a different Spirit, complete surrender to and move in the power and might of God - Holy Spirit.
Our minds is the battle ground between conforming to the world and being transformed. We are commanded to resist conformity to the thoughts and actions of this world and focus on God’s word and fellowship with Him (be transformed by the renewing of your mind transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Cor 3:18).
What is the outcome? Then, your life will be in the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. There will be an integrity in our actions and our beliefs and authenticity in our walk with the Lord.
When we keep Gods commandments – we make a decision to not walk in the way of the wicked. Ps 119:3. We choose to love what He loves and hate what He hates.
REFLECT: Pause and look at your schedule. Our schedules give us an idea of where our devotion lies. Where are you investing your time? What is our priority? What are our motives? Are there any other gods/idols in our life? When we are wholly devoted to the Lord, we will give our time to the things that will aid us in actually keeping our devotion to the Lord.
Devoted to Prayer
Col 4:2 (AMP) - Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving. Be persistent in prayer, confidently, steadfastly, without ceasing
Be persistent and devoted to prayer continually and not give up (Luke 18:1) being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving.
Our prayers should be mingled with praise. Be expectant with thanksgiving that God hears our prayers our intercession and be vigilant pushing through ‘waiting for answers to our prayers’.
Even in the midst of difficult circumstances we are commanded to constantly pray, be steadfast in petitioning God with thankful and grateful hearts. "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Th. 5:16-18).
We are called to seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually (1 Chr 16:11)
Devoted to Brethren (Neighbour)
As the Church, we are meant to live as a preview of God’s future kingdom here on earth. What does that look like ? "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honour" (Rom. 12:10). This devotion is characterized by humility, patience, and a willingness to bear one another's burdens.
Loving others the same way that Jesus loves us means loving sacrificially, selflessly, and unconditionally. A key aspect of brotherly love is the readiness to forgive. Col 3:13 encourages believers to "Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Genuine love fosters unity within the body of Christ.
Be faithful stewards of God’s grace and serve others with the gifts He gave us – 1 Peter 4:19-11. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. As we serve one another, we do it with the strength God provides, the ability which God supplies – so that to Him belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever.
Encouragement: Building up one another through words and actions is vital. Heb 10:24-25 says, "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." The exercise of love is possible only in a community. Tabitha (whose Greek name was Dorcas was known for her good deeds and kind acts. She made shirts and coats for the widows (Acts 9:36-41)
Devoted to Every Good Work
Wholly devoted to God is more than just a belief; it’s about living out our faith daily. We ought to devote ourselves to good works as well. We are God’s handiwork / masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, that He prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them (Eph. 2:10).
Col 3:22 instructs us who are working to show a properly submissive attitude towards our masters/ employers / supervisors. God wants us to work heartily as if we are serving the Lord and not man, emphasizing that every effort should come from a place of total dedication and surrender to the Lord as our master. We are also to serve not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God – He is always watching. God promises to reward those who work with that kind of heart.
Col 3:17 ‘And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.’ This is not just for our workplace, it is for our homes, in public and in secret, even when we come together on Sundays to worship and even what we consider the most mundane aspects of life – do it heartily as unto the Lord.
Closing thoughts
“Wholly” devoted is an invitation for us believers toward a transformative commitment that shapes their motives, actions, and service, ultimately aligning their lives with God’s will and purpose. “Consider your ways!” What helps you move forward, what hinders you?
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
Remember, this is a journey of becoming fully devoted—dedicating our lives to the ways and words of Jesus so that we can love God with all that we are. And in turn, loving others the same way Jesus has loved us.
God said ‘Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly’ – what do you want God to say about you today?
Prayer
Psalm 139:23-24: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting."
Psalms 86:11: Lord give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
Addendum
Name | Meaning |
Caleb | Dog, Unsophisticated Servant, faithful, whole-hearted, bold, brave, devotion. Caleb may have come from a Gentile ancestry. He is called Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, and may be linked to the Canaanite peoples mentioned in Genesis 15:18-21. Perhaps his father came to Egypt and married a woman from the tribe of Judah, giving Caleb identification with that tribe. |
Jephunneh | He Will Turn To, He Will Face , He will be set free. |
Kenizzite | Hunter, Trapper (occupation). The Kenizzites were an ancient tribe who lived somewhere in the Levant long before Abraham settled in Canaan, which are mentioned along with the Kenites (קיני) and the Kadmonites (קדמני) and other, better-known peoples (Genesis 15:19). The Kenizzites, or a surviving remnant of them, appear to have been absorbed into Judah. |
Hebron | Place Of Joining, Alliance. |
We see in 1 Kings 8, King Solomon had just brought the ark of the covenant into the newly built temple of the Lord. He blessed the Lord because of it and then proceeded to give a prayer to dedicate the temple. He concluded his prayer with a benediction and called on the people to be wholly devoted to God by keeping His commandments. 1 KINGS 8:61.
Jer 17:9 says ‘The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can understand it?’ So, we need to guard our hearts. What happened to Solomon? Later in life, Solomon turned away from God. "For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been" (1 Kings 11:4). A decision.
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