Bible Reading Blog
“Not One Word Had Failed”
Categories: Congregational Bible ReadingBIBLE READING: Joshua 21.43-45
Most of Hebrews 11 discusses specific people and circumstances. We are familiar with many of the characters: Abraham, Moses, David— they are viewed as giants of faith. But Hebrews 11.32-38 opens the floodgates of our scriptural knowledge. It invites us to consider the lives of many unnamed others who by faith engaged life with determination and courage.
This week we are considering those that by faith “obtained promises” (Hebrews 11.33b). There are notable examples of this, but the reading in Joshua 21 stands out to me. The language of Joshua 21 clearly echoes the promises of God to Abraham and through Moses (Genesis 13.15; 15.18; Deuteronomy 7.24). These set of verses are a Divine rest stop in scripture for God’s people to reflect on fulfilled promises and be assured of future faithfulness. He didn’t just come through; “Not one word of the good promises that the LORD had made… had failed; all came to pass” (Joshua 21.45). He gave them victory and rest.
God’s promises were the anthem of praise and hope for every generation of God’s people (see Psalm 105). By faith, his people rehearsed and received the promises of God. But more importantly, by faith many were motivated to both commitment and change. We must never miss the response we see from people of faith. By faith they were moved to action. This is the admonition of Hebrews 11 to us. In the words of Joshua, “choose this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24.15).
Do you know the promises God has made to his people? More importantly, do you believe the promises of God? Do you trust that every word of God will prove true (Proverbs 30.5; Psalm 12.6-7)? What are you doing in light of God’s promises?
“Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7.1).
God has promised his people today an inheritance and a future (Ephesians 1; 1 Peter 1). These promised are substantiated by passages like Joshua 21.43-45. By faith, we must reflect on what God has done. We must personalize and rehearse the promises of God to his people. By faith, will grow to love and appreciate the God who keeps his promises. It is his promises that secure our future, promise us peace, and inform our hope. Not one word has failed.
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10.23)
“Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.” (1 John 2.24-25)
