◄ What Does Joshua 23:14 Mean? ►

Only two people out of the multitude of Israelites whom Moses led out of Egypt after that first Passover meal, entered the Promised Land. Only two did not rebel against the Lord and die during the Israelite's 40 year-long trek through the wilderness. Joshua was one such person, and he was the man whom God chose to lead His people into the Promised Land of Canaan.

He was the man who led God's people round the walls of Jericho in obedience to God's instructions, rather than relying on human reasoning. Who would have thought that a 7-day march around the walls of Jericho, the blast of the trumpet, and a mighty shout from the people, would bring down the reinforced walls of that mighty stronghold and begin their conquest of the land of Canaan - which had been promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?

After having conquered much of the land from the evil inhabitants of Canaan and having shared it amongst the different tribes, Joshua knew that the time of his death was close at hand. "Now," he informed his followers, "behold, today I am going the way of all the earth." Joshua let the people know that he was going to die that day. And like Moses, his mighty predecessor, he rehearsed the truth of their covenant relationship with the Lord - reminding them of their responsibility as the covenanted people of God.

"You know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one word of all the good words and promises which the LORD your God has spoken concerning you has failed," he said. Like Moses, he reminded the people of the faithfulness of their God, despite the apostasy of the first generation of Israelites who died in the wilderness. Joshua reminded the children of Israel that all the promises that God had made to them had been fulfilled, "ALL have been fulfilled for you," he said,"not one of them has failed!"

God has remained faithful and just throughout the generations. He keeps ALL His promises. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and we too can confidently trust Him to keep all the promises he has made to the Church as well - all of which are 'yes' and 'amen' in Christ Jesus our Lord.

And so, just before his death, Joshua - the great leader of Israel, delivered his final address to the people. He was among those who supernaturally escaped from Egypt when the angel of death passed over the bloodied lintels of the obedient company. He took part in the crossing of the Red Sea, ate manna in the wilderness, and was empowered to defeat the fearsome Amalekites, while Moses interceded for their victory. Joshua was there at the giving of the Ten Commandments. He remembered the solemn covenant that the Lord made with His people, and Joshua wanted to instil in their hearts the goodness, faithfulness, and long-suffering of their Creator God and gracious Saviour.

"Look," he said, "today I am about to die. You know with all your heart and inner being, that not even one of all the faithful promises the Lord your God made to you has been left unfulfilled. He has kept all His promises - not one promise is unfulfilled!" What an amazing and encouraging testimony of the God we serve.

His Word is true and He never changes, despite the foolish things we often say and do. He is the unchanging and unchangeable God Who remains true to His Word... in spite of the faithless and ungodly ways we have often behaved.

Praise God that despite our many faults and failures, we know in our heart that the Lord is faithful and that not one of the good Words that He has spoken has ever failed - nor can ever they fail - for the Word of the LORD is tested and true. The Word of the LORD is gracious and good. The Word of the Lord stands fast for ever and ever.

He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him, and His Word is upright and just. How foolish that we do not always take Him at His Word... and trust Him to keep His promises. Let us walk and worship our gracious God in spirit and in truth.. and let us humbly believe and obey all that He has spoken, from this day forward and forevermore.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus. Thank You for Your Word and the truths it contains. Thank You that You are a God Who keeps His Word, and that not one of Your precious promises will fail. May I learn the lessons that are contained within its priceless pages and trust You to keep all that You have promised to do. Thank You, in Jesus' name, AMEN.