Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.
-Joshua 21:45
There are times in our life, when we struggle to see what the future holds. When we worry whether the days ahead will be good or whether they will be bad. In fact, we discover how little we are able to actually predict the future. We have enough trouble predicting what the weather will be like. We can estimate, or we can hope, but we don’t know.
For the Israelites there was a hope that they would make it to the promised land. But before them, there was a hope that they would be delivered from Egypt. And before that a promise to Abraham that God would make I’m into a great nation and many would be blessed through him.
This arrival in the promised land, this distribution of the inheritance was the fulfilment of a promise made long ago. It was the fulfilment of a promise that abraham never saw himself.
What we discover is that our God is faithful. His word is true. His promises are true. He does not fail. His promises are true. And he has given us the greatest promise ever. That Jesus is the hope for the nations. In him there is true salvation and deliverance. In him there is freedom. In him there is the hope of eternal life.
I’m reminded then of John 16:33 when Jesus says to his disciples:
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
Our hope is in the victorious Christ who has overcome the world. So let’s put our hope in him, and walk joyfully with him.
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These were some thoughts about the nineteenth episode in our series on Joshua. You can find all the the messages as well as the worship at the BCEC Sermon Page or or listen to the sermon directly – Joshua 21.