Promises are Always Fulfilled

Scripture: Thus the Lord gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give to their fathers. And they took possession of it, and they settled there. And the Lord gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers. Not one of all their enemies had withstood them, for the Lord had given all their enemies into their hands. Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass. Joshua 21:43-45

Observation: ALL had come to pass as the Lord promised. Every word of God - from the nature of the land, to the removal of the inhabitants, to the division of the land by lots, to the assignment of cities for specific purposes and inheritance, to the peace that now stood - was fulfilled exactly as God had proclaimed to them. In some cases, these promises came just before they entered the land, but in other cases the promises were made to Abraham a few hundred years earlier. That didn't matter ... all came to pass.

Application: I was just thinking last night that I am still looking for a promise from God that I may claim. This reminds me why I will be so happy with the promises Because promises absolutely come to pass. When God makes a promise, it happens.

And God doesn't manipulate it. God doesn't give a word of promise, and then later when something related happen say "see, you misunderstood, but that was what I said would happen." No, God makes a promise, says what will happen, and it happens. He says he will make your life full, and it is filled. He says he will grant a couple with a child, and they get a child. He says he will provide a home, and the person gets a home. The path might not always be clear - getting the land by leaving it, going into slavery in Egypt, being released through miracles and signs, then wandering in the desert 40 years while the enemies watched and prepared - but the result is always clear.

Earlier this year, I realized I have never claimed a promise of God as my own. I have prayed to God for a word of promise that I may claim for my middle ages, and that I may look forward to as I go into the home stretch of my career and a transition time for my family. I have not yet received that promise, but I know that I will. When I do, I am sure I will have no idea how it will happen, but I will clearly know for certain that it will come to pass.

Prayer: Lord, today I do pray again for a promise for my life. I do not ask for a blessing, or a direction, or a condition, or anything to happen 'now', but I would like a promise. I would like a vision of something in my future that I can know will happen because of your great power and abiding love. I will continue to read your word for that promise, and I look forward to your wisdom when it comes. Amen.