In God's very first conversation with Moses at the "burning bush", God spoke of what He would do for Israel. God promised to bring Israel, under the leadership of Moses, "into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey." Exodus 3:8
Following that conversation, many promises were made by God through Moses. All of them were centered on the land God would one day give them, where they would live and honour God. Under the leadership of Joshua Israel finally, after 40 years, enters the Promised Land. They have to fight for it, confronting many small city states, or battling several allied city states at one time. As God had promised, He guides and empowers Israel so that they are consistently victorious.
Their work is not done, but by the latter part of the Book of Joshua, the land has been essentially occupied by the Twelve tribes of Israel. At that point, the author makes a great statement - echoed through the centuries by many of God's people.
"Not a single one of all the good promises the LORD had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true." Joshua 21:45
We may sometimes struggle with God's timing when we pray. We may wish He always answered "yes" when we ask, instead of often seemingly saying "no, that is not best" or "not yet, be patient". But we are convinced that God is totally reliable. He always keep His promises. We need to be careful not to claim thoughtlessly biblical promises made to an individual or an individual group as though they were made to each of our specific situations. However the promises, both OT and NT are given to those who trust and obey.
It is good to trust the Lord. In a world of broken promises and shattered vows, He alone has the power and the will to keep every promise He makes to us. "Everything he has spoken will come true." You can count on that.
Following that conversation, many promises were made by God through Moses. All of them were centered on the land God would one day give them, where they would live and honour God. Under the leadership of Joshua Israel finally, after 40 years, enters the Promised Land. They have to fight for it, confronting many small city states, or battling several allied city states at one time. As God had promised, He guides and empowers Israel so that they are consistently victorious.
Their work is not done, but by the latter part of the Book of Joshua, the land has been essentially occupied by the Twelve tribes of Israel. At that point, the author makes a great statement - echoed through the centuries by many of God's people.
"Not a single one of all the good promises the LORD had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true." Joshua 21:45
We may sometimes struggle with God's timing when we pray. We may wish He always answered "yes" when we ask, instead of often seemingly saying "no, that is not best" or "not yet, be patient". But we are convinced that God is totally reliable. He always keep His promises. We need to be careful not to claim thoughtlessly biblical promises made to an individual or an individual group as though they were made to each of our specific situations. However the promises, both OT and NT are given to those who trust and obey.
It is good to trust the Lord. In a world of broken promises and shattered vows, He alone has the power and the will to keep every promise He makes to us. "Everything he has spoken will come true." You can count on that.
No comments:
Post a Comment