This isn’t the only time that Kalev is singled out without Yehoshua as being the only Yachid who deserved to come to Eretz Yisroel. The Ohr HaChaim in Parshas Shlach explains the Passuk: ו ע ב ד יִכ ל בִע קֶ בִה י ת הִרוּח ִִ א חֶ רֶ תִע מּוִִֹשלחִידִכד means that Kalev had to fight his Yetzer Hara more than Yehoshua, who had a Bracha from his Rebbe, Moshe. Similarly, we have: מ ז מוֹרִש ירִחֲ נֻכ תִה ב י תִל ד ו דִִ תהלים ִל ִא where Dovid gets credit for building the Bais Hamikdash, since he was Moser Nefesh for it. (Rabeinu B’chayei).
Even though Dovid didn’t really build the Bais Hamikdash, his Ratzon to build it and his Hishtadlus are Kodesh Kodashim. The Maharal says that although doing a Mitzva makes a person close to Hashem, when you are trying and on the way to doing a Mitzva, you are completely with Hashem.
Look how precious are our Retzonos and our Hishtadlus (even if we fail!). There are those who say that Sefiras HaOmer is even better than Shavuos itself. Striving is everything! It’s easy to say or write these concepts, but in order to really believe them a person has to constantly thank Hashem: פִֶב ִהִמ ִאל ִ out loud for all his desires and strivings to overcome his Yetzer Hara and to advance in Avodas Hashem.
The Yetzer Hara is very strong in putting down these vital Yesodos in Avodas Hashem; and lots and lots of our depressive natures can be traced to lack of appreciation for the true greatness of our good Retzonos, and our frustrations in not being able to learn, have Bitachon, love people more, daven better, etc.
