http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=joshua%209-11&version=NIV
Scripture is rich with the promises of God fulfilled – both big and small – good and perfect promises. Promises made from sovereign wisdom and unfailing love. As we continue our journey through Joshua, we watch God do exactly as he said he would in Exodus 23: 27-30. As a reminder, here is how God said he would give the Israelites the Land of Canaan:
I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run. I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittities out of your way. But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you. Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land.
And so he did. Joshua 11:18 says that “Joshua waged war against these kings for a long time”. It is estimated that the duration of Joshua’s conquests can be made from the life span of Caleb who was 78 (Duet. 2:14; Josh. 14:7) at the beginning of the conquests until he took Hebron at age 84 (Duet. 14:10). Therefore seven years passed as God did exactly as he said that he would and little by little drove the people out.
“So Joshua took the entire land, just as the Lord had directed Moses, and he gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal divisions”. Joshua 12:22
God’s promises are not just for the people of Israel – we must remember that they are for us because through Christ we are also His people. His promises are true and for us – even when they are yet unseen. God is faithful – will you believe and not doubt?
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God”. 2 Corinthians 1:20
Today's post was submitted by Carol Bartels
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I really like these verses from our section of reading: Give me this mountain
ReplyDeleteJosh 14:11-12
"As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. "Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the LORD spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the LORD said."
Incredible! 45 years before these verses Caleb saw this mountain and the Lord said it would be his inheritance. Talking about not wavering in faith !!! Caleb had to stay in the wilderness for 40 years due to the unbelief of someone else and attend 600,000 funerals until only Joshua and himself were left alive from the previous generation. But Caleb didn’t waver at God’s promise even after 45 years. I'm sure as time grew close to enter into Caanan, his excitment grew toward what God had for him.
Why? Because Caleb knew this concept:
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Heb 10:23
I sometimes waver because time passes and it didn’t’ come to pass or difficult circumstances come into our life or just plain personal weariness makes me move into doubt concerning God’s promises toward me.
Oh to be like Caleb. Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. No matter what we are seeing in our circumstances we can be full confident in God’s word and have full assurance of faith that God will come through for us! This is what being strong in faith mean. Even after 45 years of waiting, I'm still excpecting God to give me what He promised.
Gal 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.