Hebrews 13:8 tells us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. And since Jesus Christ is God, we can say that God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. What does this mean? Simply, God’s character and His ways never change!
We have been learning about God in the Book of Joshua. God chose a people, Israel, to relate to and to reveal Himself to the world! God promised land rich with milk and honey to His Chosen People. God miraculously helped Israel secure the land. The God of Israel is the same God for us today!
Last week we noted in Joshua 21 that God called priests throughout the land to assist in the people’s spiritual growth! The end of that chapter summarizes what God did and we can glean important principles about God to help us with our lives today. Read along with me 3 important verses at the end of Joshua 21…. Joshua 21:43-45….
What can we learn from these 3 simple verses?
First of all, there is one specific truth stated in all 3 verses! What was it??
God swore/made promises to give!
1. God made good promises to His Chosen People!
Now, what makes a good promise??
A promise is worthless if it is not kept and fulfilled!
In order for God to make good on His promises, what did God do? (we see it mentioned also 3 times in our passage!)
2. God gave everything Israel needed to settle in the land promised!
If we look closely, God gave all the land needed; God gave the power to overtake the enemies; God provided to be able to settle in the land; God gave them rest!
Let us note that God provided for theior needs, not necessarily their wants; at various times,many Israelites actually wanted to go back to where they came from, even all the way back to slavery again in Egypt!!
And did God just make good on some of His promises or just bits and pieces? What do we note in v45??
3. God fulfilled ALL His promises (every single one)!
And so simply, how do we apply these biblical principles if God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow??
God will fulfill every promise He gives to us!
a. What are God’s promises to people today??
Salvation
Holy Spirit/full Armor of God
Sanctification
The Church
The Rapture/Resurrection
Eternal Life in Heaven
Judgment for nonbelievers of Jesus Christ
b. What has God given people today??
Basically, God gives Grace and Truth to all people!
What should be our daily response to a giving God?
We are to always give thanks and worship God for His Grace AND we are to always grasp God's Truth and follow them!
c. God will fulfill ALL His promises to people today!
We should all live daily with this attitude that God will fulfill all His promises!
Memorize Philippians 1:6, a truth for Christians, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
