GUEST BLOGGER MAY: Hold onto the Promises

From a very early age, we have always been told to make promises only if you know you can keep them. Unfortunately, more than once, we have either had a promises broken or have broken them ourselves. It is never a great feeling to have that happen, and as a result we sometimes try to avoid promises altogether. On the other hand, when promises have been kept it usually is the best feeling in the world.

In Joshua 21:43-45, the people of Israel were experiencing this great feeling. It says:

“So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. 44 The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hands. 45 Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.”

The people of Israel finally got to see and experience all that the Lord had promised them years ago! It was good times all around and the people were closer to God more than ever. As the first verse of Joshua 23 states, it continued to be this way for a long time. Unfortunately, there would be a man who would not be able to experience it any longer.

In Joshua 23, Joshua knew that he would pass away soon, so he decided to make a final farewell speech to the people of Israel. In his entire speech Joshua reminds the Israelites of the promises God fulfilled. Verse 14b says, “You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.”

Joshua knew that the people of Israel would encounter trials and tribulations that would test their faith, but he encouraged them to hold on to His promises. The very same message can be said to us. We know we will encounter trials in this life but we have a God who has a perfect record of keeping his promises! He has given us a whole book of them!

There was a 1956 article in Times Magazine about a schoolteacher named Everet Storms. He wanted to count all the promises in the bible. It took him a year and a half! He counted 7,847 promises God made to man! I encourage you brother/sister in Christ to face whatever situation you have by holding on to the promises of God. Be blessed.

Guest Blogger for May: Jasmin