When I read the book of Joshua, I am overwhelmed with the patience and persistence of God to fulfill his promises to his people in spite of their unfaithfulness. Throughout the book we read about how the Israelites responded disobediently to the instructions of the Lord . . . taking things from the destruction of Jericho that had been set apart for the Lord (7:1), and building an altar for themselves to rebel against the Lord (22:16). And what was God’s holy response to their acts of disobedience? We find it in chapter 21, verse 45:
Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass.
In fact, from chapter 6 all the way to chapter 23, we keep reading about the Lord and exactly how he fulfilled his promises.
Wow! That just blows my mind. When I think of the times that I have been disappointed by friends or family, it doesn’t come to my mind to fulfill all the promises I have made them. I tend to lean toward unforgiveness, thinking of the unfairness against me, or even lashing out or getting even. But not God . . . in His mercy He forgives my unfaithfulness. In His grace he forgets my desire to build walls against Him or his loved ones. In His love He continues to fulfill all the promises He has made to me. Now, that is worth praising Him. That is worth trusting Him. That is worth serving Him. That is worth loving Him.
As a matter of fact, when I read these verses, I want to be forgiving like God; I want to be faithful like God. Instead of dwelling on the unfairness of life, or my own plans for improving my situation, I want to let Him continue to show me His character of faithfulness through these Bible truths, like he does in the book of Joshua.
He has such a long way to go with me, but I’m so very thankful he doesn’t give up. He just keeps on cranking out the lessons with His promised blessings attached. And then I am reminded . . . “Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass.”
About the writer:
Pam is Director of Women to Women Ministry of First Baptist Dallas, a wife, a mom, a grandmother, and grateful to be included in this great team of Yada Yada bloggers.