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The Land of Promise: God Is Faithful
The Land of Promise: God Is Faithful
God is faithful. It is interesting to me that this phrase does not appear in the book of Joshua. The concept is abundant, the phrase is lacking.
· God promised this land to Abraham, but revealed it would happen in God's appointed time.
· God, thru Moses, promised the land to the east of Jordan to the tribes of Gad and Reuben (Num. 32).
· God promised to provide cities of refuge and cities for the Levites (Ex. 21; Num. 35).
· God had promised specific land for Caleb (Josh. 14:6-15; 15:13-19).
· God had promised specific land for the daughters of Zelophehad (Jug. 17:3-6)
In sum, “Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled” (21:45).
God fulfilled each of these. God is faithful to His word. We learn from this reading then that above all we can trust God. Though people will fail us, God is faithful. Though times often seem difficult and the promises appear to beyond reach, God is faithful.
If you never noticed, in the New Testament this aspect of God is mentioned more than other attributes and characteristic of God:
· Romans 3:3 - "What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it?"
· 1 Corinthians 1:9 - "God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."
· 1 Corinthians 10:13 - "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it."
· 2 Corinthians 1:18 - "But as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no."
· 1 Thessalonians 5:24 - "Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass."
· 2 Thessalonians 3:3 - "But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one."
· 2 Timothy 2:13 - "If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself."
· Hebrews 10:23 - "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;"
· 1 Peter 4:19 - "Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right."
· 1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
· Revelation 1:5 - "and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood—"
· Revelation 3:14 - "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this:"
· Revelation 19:11 - "And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war."
God is faithful, are you faithful to Him? "‘Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Revelation 2:10).
Hugh DeLong
