The last three verses of Joshua 21 form one of the great summary statements in all of the Old Testament.
Thus 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. And the LORD gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers. Not one of all their enemies had withstood them, for the LORD had given all their enemies into their hands. Not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass. (Josh 21:43-45)
Land, rest, and victory–each was a testament to the faithfulness of God. Not one word of all his good promises had failed. From this point forward, Israel could look back and recognize, “all came to pass.”
But these ancient summary statements have also been preserved for our learning and they ought to continue to shape our perspective. We serve the same faithful God. For now, we sing:
We will rest in the fair and happy land,
Just across on the evergreen shore,
Sing the song of Moses and the Lamb,
And dwell with Jesus evermore.
With faith in the promises of God, we sing and pray and reflect on what we will do “by and by.” But just as surely as Israel could look back in the days of Joshua and appreciate what the LORD had done, so one day will we also look back…
“The coming of the Lord has happened.”
“Jesus did bring with him those had fallen asleep.”
“The Lord himself did descend from heaven with a cry of command.”
“All who were in the tombs did hear his voice and come out.”
“Those who were alive were caught up together with them in the clouds and they did meet the Lord in the air.”
“And so we are and will always be with the Lord.”
“Not one word of all the good promises that God made to his people has failed; all has come to pass.”
Why read Old Testament books of the Bible like Joshua?
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Rom 15:4)
In the meantime, we patiently wait, building our faith in the God who always keep his promises.