Through experience, we know that God is faithful. He is not some sort of distant or detached deity but a loving and interpersonal Father who keeps His covenants. We can depend on His promises not only because of personal experience but also because His Word affirms it (Numbers 23:19, Judges 2:1, 1 Kings 8:56). As we read the Bible, we see God’s consistency across generations. His nature remains unchanging, and He fulfills what He promises. This is best seen through the lives of some of the early heroes of the Bible – people like Abraham whom God made a covenant with, and Joshua who led God’s people into the Promisd Land. Just as it was with Abraham and Joshua, the challenge still stands for us today; “Do we trust Him with all our hearts and souls?”
The Bible shows us that trust is in fact a struggle for many, even for the Israelites. Despite witnessing God’s miracles, they frequently doubted Him. This struggle is still present today. A possible reason is that we may not know Him well enough. Even Scripture acknowledges that our knowledge of God is limited: all we understand or see of Him through our human understanding is a mere reflection, as in a mirror (1 Corinthians 13:12). Furthermore, painful experiences can also affect our ability to trust God. Such experiences brings us hurt, and often end up warping our understanding of His intentions, allowing our pain to shape our view of Him rather than relying on the truth of His Word.
Trusting God involves a process of aligning ourselves with His Word, including even the times when our emotions pull us in different directions. God sees the big picture and He knows the beginning and the end. When life gets overwhelming, we must learn to rest in Him and in the assurance that His love remains constant even in tough times when we may feel He’s far away. Let us encourage ourselves to cultivate a daily intimacy with God, reading His Word, or speaking with Him in prayer.
God sees those of us in brokenness and pain and the invitation is to come back to Him (Matthew 11:28-30). Though our griefs and hardship are real, God is greater. He sees our tears, walks with us, and never abandons us. Day by day, we must cling to His promises, even when the path forward is difficult. This process of trust is not instant; it takes time, patience, and discipline. As we learn to soak in God’s Word and presence, we begin to experience His peace and strength.
The story of the Israelites under Joshua’s leadership shows us that God’s promises often take time to unfold. According to scholars, it took around seven years – nearly a decade – of battles before the Israelites took full possession of the promised land. Though God’s promises are sure, they do not always come quickly. We also see this pattern in the lives of other Biblical figures like Abraham and Sarah, who grew impatient and tried to take matters into their own hands. Their story reminds us that we must resist the temptation to shortcut God’s plan. His timeline is not ours, and learning to wait on Him builds trust and spiritual maturity.
Just as the Israelites faced struggles along the way, we too encounter challenges while waiting for God’s promises. Even when God guarantees an outcome, there is often work to be done. The Israelites had to fight to take possession of the land, and similarly, we must rise each day to confront the giants in our lives – whether they are fears, doubts, or personal obstacles. Giving up may seem easier, but we are called to persevere and encourage one another along the way.
God’s faithfulness remains intact even when we falter. In Joshua 7, we see that the Israelites suffered a setback because of Achan’s sin, which caused the nation to lose a battle. This incident highlights God’s holiness and the consequences of sin. However, it also reveals His mercy and faithfulness. Despite the failure, God did not abandon His people but continued to lead them toward the fulfillment of His promise. This reassures us that even when we fall short, God’s promises remain unshaken. We need to return to Him, confess, and move forward without letting guilt keep us from His presence.
Trusting God reveals several profound truths about His promises. First, His promises are gifts to be received by faith (Joshua 21:43; Joshua 18:2-3). God invites us to participate actively in seeing His promises come to pass. Are there promises we are holding today that need to be opened by faith? It is easy to hold back, afraid that God might not come through, but faith invites us to step forward, trusting that He will.
Second, God’s promises lead us to rest (Joshua 21:44). After years of wandering and warfare, the Israelites finally entered their rest. This is a powerful picture of the rest God offers us through Christ. In a world marked by stress, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion, Jesus extends the invitation: “Come to me… and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28-29). Resting in God does not mean the absence of challenges, but it means finding peace in His presence, even in the middle of life’s storms. Rest is not just a promise; it becomes a reality when we place our trust in Jesus.
Beyond rest, God’s promises give us strength (Joshua 21:44b). His Spirit empowers and sustains us, renewing us when we feel weary. Isaiah 40:31 reminds us that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength, rise on wings like eagles, and not grow faint. As we walk with God, we find strength to overcome life’s challenges, and our faith deepens in the process.
Lastly, God’s promises lead to completeness. Joshua 21:45 declares that every good thing God had spoken to Israel came to pass. This shows us that God is a finisher – He completes what He starts. We find this echoed in Philippians 1:6. God’s faithfulness, integrity, and holiness ensure that none of His promises will fail. Though the journey may be difficult, we can have confidence that what God has promised, He will accomplish in His perfect time.
What promises from God are you holding onto today? Whether it is a dream, a hope, or a personal breakthrough, we can trust that God will bring it to fulfillment. He is faithful and He keeps His covenant from generation to generation (Deuteronomy 7:9), and His Word will not return to Him empty but will accomplish what He pleases and prosper in what He sents it out to do (Isaiah 55:11).
Whatever challenges lie ahead, remember that God’s promises are true, His timing is perfect, and His strength is available for you. Let us walk with hope, trusting that He will do what He has said.
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