Promises

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Joshua 24:16 Easy Made Promises

Then the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the Lord to serve other gods!” Joshua 24:16

Promises are something that are easy to make, but more difficult to keep. Everyday people make many different promises in hundreds of different ways and then in a very short time break those promises.

Often promises are made in the hype and excitement of the moment, when everything is looking perfect with no difficulties. The more people involved, the easier they are to make. Then later, when difficulties arise, the promises are forgotten and broken out of convenience.

After conquering the land, Joshua reminds the Israelites of all that God had done and that he will still serve God. Then he challenges the people to serve God. The people promise to never forsake God and serve false gods.

In church settings or large group settings of groups of believers, it is common for challenges to serve God to be made. It is built up with excitement of choosing to serve God with one’s whole life and a push for commitment. Nearly everyone is quick to dedicate themselves to God.

Just like the Israelites, however, after leaving the church and meeting, people are back in the world and forget all about God. Focus is taken off of God and back on self, serving other gods of this world, pride, selfishness, alcohol, porn, money, and many other things.

The world will put pressure on the believer to forsake God and follow their false gods. Promises of pleasure and ease are made that will only bring about death and misery.

True believers will keep their focus upon God and remember their promises to serve Him alone. When temptation arises to cause them to forsake God, they will resist the devil and flee the temptation, rather than give in to it. They will not take their promise lightly.

Have you made a commitment to serve God and Him alone in your life? Do not allow the things and cares of this world distract you so that you forsake God and begin to serve the false, dead gods of this world.

Commit your whole life to God and seek His strength to fulfill that promise. God will give you everything you need to serve Him with all of your life. Trust in Him alone as you keep your promise to serve Him.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will commit your life to serving God alone; that God will give you strength to resist serving other false gods; and that God will fill you with His Holy Spirit to guide and direct your steps.

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Joshua 21:44 The Enemy Cannot Hold Out

The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hands. Joshua 21:44

Battles occur all over the world on a regular basis. Often the striking enemy is able to overcome those being attacked. This can occur because the strength of the enemy is so great, or that the one being attacked does not have the resources to defend, or that they give up in the fight out of fear.

Every so often there is a very small group that is able to defeat a very large enemy.

God gave the Israelites the promised land and then gave them rest. None of the enemies were able to stand up against the Israelites because God gave them into their hands.

Any person who is following God with all of his heart, mind, soul and strength will have some enemies. While most will not have enemies that physically strike them, there will be enemies that strive to stop them from believing in Jesus or at least distract them in their walk with God.

The most common enemy is inside the heart and mind of each individual. Thoughts will often lead a person astray, giving the enemy victory over the believer.

Jesus defeated the enemy–sin–with His death and resurrection. Then He gave believers all His authority to overcome the enemy and gave His Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen them in their victory.

Believers who choose to not stand in His promises and be led by the Holy Spirit, will be defeated by the enemies in their lives. God has given all that is needed to have victory over the enemy as long as one will take it. The world cannot stand up against a believer who is trusting in God’s promises.

You have enemies in your life that are warring for your soul and mind. It is a battle to get you to sin against God and follow the ways of the world.

God is ready to hand the enemy over into your hands and give you victory, however, you must choose to follow His ways and be led by the Holy Spirit. Do not give in or back down from standing up against the enemy, you are given victory.

Jesus has already defeated the enemy, now stand in that victory.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know the victory Jesus has won; that you will stand in God’s power and authority against the enemy; that you will choose to follow God with all of your life; and that you will see God defeat the enemies of your soul.

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Joshua 18:3 Take What God Has Given You

So Joshua said to the Israelites: “How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has given you?” Joshua 18:3

People are often given some opportunity to gain something or some position. With the opportunity, the person must be willing to step out and do some work to gain it or take it.

Although many would love to have what is being offered, very few will take possession of it. Most desire to have it completely handed to them free of any work on their own part.

As many of the tribes of Israel had taken possession of the new land, some did not. Joshua asked them how long they would wait to take possession of the land God had given them.

Believers are given many promises by God, but very few will actually take hold of those promises and claim them as their own. People want things handed to them by God without any work on their own part or change in their life.

A few of the things God wants to give His people are no fear, a living heart, boldness, peace, and physical provisions. Just as some of the tribes of the Israelites held back on taking possession of the land, many believers hold back on taking what God has offered.

Jesus did the work of removing sin and the power of sin, but the believer must be willing to step out in faith and take the blessings of His work. It is a self-choice to not fear, or to be bold, or to have peace.

All one has to do is go in and claim it and take possession because God has already given it to him. One should not wait to get what God has for him.

If you have chosen to believe in Jesus, God has many things to give you. Each day you have to choose as to whether you will take possession of what God has for you or if you will reject it and keep waiting for something to change.

Do not allow yourself to sit back and do nothing when God has given you a promise. Seek God’s wisdom and timing and then go out and claim that promise, whatever it is.

Live your life in the fullness of all that God has to offer you.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know the promises of God to you; that you will claim what God has promised you; that you will not fear taking what God offers to you; and that you walk in the boldness and strength of God.

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Numbers 30:2 Keep Your Vows

When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said. Numbers 30:2

Vows are something that are held very loosely in society as a whole. Promises and vows are easily made, but are quickly broken on a regular basis.

People are quick to find loopholes in their vows to keep them from having to fulfill the vow. It is common for people not to trust others because promises have been broken so many times already.

Moses said that God told the people that if a man makes a vow to the Lord or some oath of obligation, he must fulfill it completely.

In the heat or excitement of a moment, it is easy to make a promise or vow. However, it may take a lot to actually fulfill that vow. Making a vow will often require some to a lot of sacrifice in order for it to be fulfilled.

Believers are known for making vows to God in a difficult situation. They will say, “if God gets me out of this situation, I will_____.” However, many never fulfill that promise. They find some excuse to ignore it.

Vows should never be made flippantly, but made with the wisdom and direction of God, and then must be fulfilled.

God has never, and never will, break a promise He has made. Every believer is to be just like God and never break a promise. Fulfilling the promise may be difficult and sometimes very costly, but it shows the heart and character of God to the world and will be worth it all in the end.

Just as God is true and faithful, the believer should also be true and faithful in all he says and does.

Throughout your life there will be times that you will make various vows to God or to other people. Do not allow yourself to forget or ignore those vows, but fulfill them completely.

Seek the strength and direction of God to complete your vows that you have made. As you fulfill your vows, God will be able to pour out blessings and favor upon you. God will also see you as a good and faithful servant whom He can allow into His kingdom.

Can God and others rely upon your word?

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will only make vows with God’s direction; that God will give you strength and boldness to fulfill all vows you have made; that God will remove any fear of fulfilling your vows; and that you will see God’s blessing on fulfilled vows.