Joshua 23:14: “Behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth. And you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you, and not one word of them has failed.”

April 13th, 2023 by Pastor Ed in devotional

More than 20 years had passed since Joshua had replaced Moses and led the people of God into the Promised Land. The land was now subdued before them, and Joshua was old, but before he stepped down from leadership, God gave him insight into a looming threat. The dangers for the people of God going forward would be compromising, indifference, concessions, and tolerance. So Joshua called together the leadership in chapter 23 and then the everyday citizens in chapter 24. We can get a picture in our mind of this old warrior as he stood before them, white hair and beard flowing in the wind. No doubt old Caleb was standing close to the front, and probably Phinehas the high priest in his robe, as well as many of the mighty men who had shared the battlefront with Joshua. They stood proudly to hear one last time from their God-appointed leader. They knew and expected an exhortation from him on principals they needed to follow if they were to establish their hold on the land of blessing. He did charge them, but more importantly, he reminded them of God’s faithfulness. He carefully chose words that pointed them back to God’s goodness, which had been poured out on them all those years.

So often we are tempted to focus on the negative things that happen to us in life. For some perverse reason, humanity finds it easier to remember the storms of life than the blessings. In Joshua’s closing address it was the faithfulness of God that he pointed them to: “not one thing has failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spoke.” That is still true today in our lives. God has promised to never leave or forsake us (Deut. 31:6). We have tried to leave Him and we have forsaken His guidance on many occasions, but He is faithful. Not one word of God’s promises of blessings on our lives has failed. What has God done for you? Take a moment and remember to thank Him for what you have. Pause a moment to consider the tragedies that have befallen others around you that have not happened to you. The old saying “I wept because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet,” helps us remember our blessings.

“LORD You are faithful to us. Thank You for saving and keeping us this day.”