God Never Fails—Joshua 21:45

Joshua 21:45 firmly establishes this truth: God keeps his Word. Not one of God's good promises has ever failed, not before the time of Joshua, not after, and not now.

In the New Living Translation Isaiah 55:10-11 says, "The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it." 

God's Word is a seed (Luke 8:11). Once it's planted, it will grow and develop into the fruit the Lord intends it to become.

God's Word is trustworthy. His promises are true. What God says he will do, he will do. The English Standard Version expresses this idea in 2 Corinthians 1:20:

"For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory."

When It Feels Like God Has Failed Us

There are times, however, when it feels as though God has failed us. Consider the story of Naomi. While living in Moab, a land far from her home, Naomi lost her husband and two sons. There was a famine ravaging the land. Grief-stricken, destitute, and alone, Naomi must have felt like God had forsaken her.

From her point of view, God was dealing bitterly with Naomi. But the famine, the move to Moab, and the deaths of her husband and sons were all leading to something glorious and gracious in God's plan of salvation. Naomi would return to her homeland with one faithful daughter-in-law, Ruth. The kinsman-redeemer, Boaz, would save Naomi and marry Ruth. Boaz and Ruth would become great-grandparents of King David, who would carry the bloodline of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Amid her grief and brokenness, Naomi could not see the big picture. She could not know what God was doing. Maybe you feel like Naomi, and you are losing faith in God and his word. You feel as though he's done you wrong, abandoned you. You find yourself asking, "Why hasn't he answered my prayers?"

God Never Fails

Scripture affirms time and time again that God never fails. We must remember in times of desperation and grief that we may not be seeing God's good and gracious purpose from our current vantage point.

The Lord may want to use a difficult season as a stepping stone in our spiritual growth. In trying time we have to believe that God knows what's best for us and trust in his promises:

2 Samuel 7:28
Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. (NIV)
1 Kings 8:56
"Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses." (NIV)
Psalm 33:4
For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. (NIV)

When you feel faithless, when you believe that God has left you, take refuge in the pages of the Bible. God's Word has stood the test of time. It has been refined in the fire; it is pure, flawless, enduring, eternal, true. Let it be your shield. Let it be your source of protection:

Proverbs 30:5
"Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him." (NIV)
Isaiah 40:8
"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever." (NIV)
Matthew 24:35
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." (NIV)
Luke 1:37
"For no word from God will ever fail." (NIV)
2 Timothy 2:13
If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself. (ESV)

As God's children, we can stand firm in our faith. God's covenant with us is not going to fail. His Word is flawless, right, true. His promises can be fully trusted, no matter what our circumstances may be.

Have you taken to heart the Lord's commitment to Joshua and the people of Israel? He has made this promise to us as well. Have you uttered your Amen to God for his glory?

Don't give up hope. Face each day confidently with an awareness that the victorious Lord is on your side. Know with all assurance that God never fails. His good promises to you will come to pass.