Promise Keeper Worth Following

Joshua 21:43 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. 44 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. 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.

That last verse is staggering. Imagine if every single promise we ever had made had been fulfilled. We don't set out to break our promises, but we are not in control of enough things to keep them all.

"I'll pick you up at 5" is followed by, "Sorry, my battery died and I couldn't get a jump". Or how about, "We'll go to Disneyland next year for your birthday", is follow by, "Sorry, we had to buy a new refrigerator and we can't go now". These things are out of our control and yet we make promises we can't keep.

That is the real issue; we have no control- we have no power to change the circumstances. But God does. He is omnipotent and He knows what is coming. He knows He can drive the enemies out with a weak army's "help". He controls the weather that allows crops to grow and produce. He makes the corn grow tall and puts 5 ears on each stock instead of 2. He makes cows to calf and calves to grow.

So why would we be interested in serving other gods? We think we are not like the Israelites- we don't serve idols. Really? Are there not idols- things that take our focus off of God- in our lives? Are there not things that distract us from following God more intently? Are there not things that diminish our time spent with God? Maybe it is your job- work harder and smarter. Maybe it is your kids, or spouse- finding significance in who they are. You know what they are in your life.

Choose who you will serve today. Make that choice wisely. D.V. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. I can not serve Him myself, because He is holy and jealous and I am not holy. If I forsake following Him after having said "I will follow and serve Him only" He will not forgive but will consume me. It doesn't seem like a hard choice, but our spirit is willing and our flesh is weak. He is worthy to be followed but He must provide the strength to follow.