Promise Made -Promise Kept

I grew up learning that my word meant something. I didn’t have to swear, but if I said I was going to do something, it was expected to happen just as I said it would. My parents taught me the value of letting my “yes” be yes and my “no” be no. I’ve also learned not to make vows flippantly.

There were two men in all of the Israelites who saw the Promised Land the first time. These guys were among the spies sent in to check out the land. It was now time to make good on the Lord’s promise to them 45 years later. Check this out…

7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, 8 but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people sink. I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly. 9 So on that day Moses swore to me, “The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children for ever, because you have followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.”

10 ‘Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! 11 I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. 12 Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.’

13 Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. (Joshua 14:7-13 NIV)

What a cool story of faithfulness….

Caleb & Joshua were two of twelve spies sent to spy out the land and they believed that the Lord was strong enough to help Israel take the land. The majority ruled them out. Here they are some forty five years later and they are the only survivors who made it through the 40 years of desert journey to go into to the land.

The Lord kept His promise to Caleb & Joshua (He ALWAYS keeps His promises!) and they are about to move their families into the Promised Land because of the faithfulness of the patriarchs Joshua & Caleb.

One of my favorite parts of this story is how it was noted that these men “followed the Lord wholeheartedly”. That inspires me to continue to be faithful in seeking the heart of God. I want Him to pour out blessing on my life as I follow Him. I’m not as concerned about others noticing that I follow the Lord wholeheartedly, but I want the Lord to see my heart every day that I live. I want to live the rest of my life in wholehearted devotion to Him. I know that He will give me an inheritance that only He can give me.

I want to keep my promise to follow Him.

He will keep His promise to give me eternal life!

Pressing On!

Dwayne