Scripture Text: Joshua 21:41-45
Not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.
Joshua 21:45
When God promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob a land as inheritance for their descendants, He fulfilled His promise. The eleven tribes of Israel received their land based on the allotments to them, while Levi's tribe received forty-eight cities given by the eleven tribes scattered in the whole area of Israel with their pasture lands (Joshua 21). The six cities out of forty eight were designated as the refuge cities for those people (Israelites and foreigners) who have unintentionally killed someone. These people can safely enter one of the refuge cities and be protected from any of the victim's relatives who seek revenge until the trial could be held (Joshua 20:7-9).
The above cities were the home and shelter for Levi's tribe given by God to them, while they do their functions as priest to serve God and to take good care of the spirituality of the Israelites. They were in-charge of the sacrifices, burnt offerings for the Lord. Also, they were in-charge to receive givings (tithes) contributed by the eleven tribes of Israel for the Lord in the form of crops, grains, cattle etc., that's why part of the cities were the pasture lands for animals/cattles to be used for burnt offering, sacrifices, and also intended for their daily food.
God provided everything for His people: the land, home, food, clothes, and other material provisions. He provided also a human priest through Levi's tribe, to take care the spiritual maturity of every people in Israel. The priest guided the people for good living and not to commit sin against the Lord and also guided them to be righteous people in the sight of the Lord.
When God promised that He will send His only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to earth to save His sons and daughters, physically and spiritually (both Jews and Gentiles), He fulfilled it! When Jesus Christ promised that He will ask the Father to send us the Holy Spirit, our Lord fulfilled it.
Truly, our God loves His people, He encourages them to live a good and clean life with Him. He encourages us to live according to His will and He commanded us to ask and seek always the guidance of the Holy Spirit for the betterment of our lives while waiting for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is why we need also to endure whatever circumstances, problems, difficulties, sufferings we have. His final promise is to bring us to Heaven as our spiritual inheritance and we live there forever together with our God.
Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 7:1).
Reflect
1. Do you believe that God through Christ will fulfill His promises to you?
2. Do you value His promises?
3. Do you desire to have it!
Remember
As followers-believers of Christ, our only hope is His divine promise. Because He is true to His promise and He never fails! In the human history, the created human always fails but the Creator never fails because He is faithful and He is Holy!
For all the promises of God, His people find their Yes in Him. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory and honor (2 Corinthians 1:20).
Read
2 Corinthians 1:18-22; 2 Corinthians 7:1
Pray
Dear God, I acknowledge all the things that You have done for us as Your people. Thank You for the assurance of Your promises that I hope for. I believe that Your love never ceases and Your promises never fail. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for the revelation of this truth. In Jesus' mighty Name. Amen!
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