A promise-keeping God
Joshua 21:43-45
By Ysrael De la Cruz

There was a time in the past when a man or woman’s word was as good as a contract. Business transactions were sealed with a handshake and not on paper. The contract was based on their word. “I give you my word” This was sufficient. Many times, in books or even movies, we hear someone say. “I give you my word.” Which means, trust me, I will come through, I will fulfill my promise. You will trust someone’s word based on the character and integrity of the person.
Today we live in a different world though. Today, instead of standing upon an agreement made in word much of the business world and society in general looks for the fine print and a way to sidestep the commitment that was made.
It is hard to believe people these days to follow through; to be true to their words, to keep their promises.
The one we can certainly trust to be true to his word is God, the LORD. In fact, if God were not true to his word, then he could not be trusted completely.

Numbers 23:19 God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? (ESV)
That text is clear, God is not like us. He doesn’t lie and he keeps his promises.
In the Bible we read about all the promises God made to certain individuals. God made what is known as covenant, an agreement between him and a person or nation. God is a covenant-keeping, promise-keeping God. He made a covenant with Abraham Gn.12:2 I will make you into a great nation.
Gn.15:18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying “to your offspring I give this land.”
Gn. 26:3 Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham.
Numbers 33:53; Det.17:14 (I will give this land)

Joshua reminded the people right before they went to enjoy their inheritance.
Joshua 21:45-45
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. When you read this verse, you realize that the God of the Bible is a promise-keeping God. He fulfilled his promise to give them the land he promised.
Joshua brought the nation to take possession of the land. He sent each tribe to their designated territories.

The LORD gave Israel rest (v.44) Just as he had sworn. This rest is implying a time of no more war. A time in which they were fighting no more battles.
(Ex.33:14 my presence will go with you and give you rest.)
Det.7:24; 21:10 (No one will be able to stand against you)

No one of their enemies had withstood them for the LORD had given all their enemies into their hands. (v.44)

(v.45) Not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.

Not one word of all the good promises the LORD made to Israel failed. God kept his promise to them. God is trustworthy; he keeps his word. You can trust him to come through in what he says. If God says it, it will come to pass.

Just like to the Jewish nation he made promises, there are many promises God is making for his people today, for you and me. I will never leave you nor forsake you. He is promising to be with us. He has promised to take us to where he is at one day.
2 Corinthians 1:20
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. NIV

Our God is a promise-keeping God. His word will never fail, it will never pass away.