When we began our journey on the road to the resurrection in Genesis 1 we mentioned 3 themes that would be present throughout our study. Those themes were 1) God, 2) land, and 3) people. Today as we spend some time in book of Joshua we’ll see all 3 of these themes present.

I believe we’ll discover all 3 of these themes are connected to a promise that was originally given to Abraham by God (Gen 12:1-3). The interesting thing about this promise God made to Abraham is…it affects you and me today.

What do we know about a promise? It’s a statement of intention that becomes reality when it’s fulfilled, like a wedding engagement. It's a promise has the potential to offer hope. Jesus’ promise to return. A promise also has the potential to provide disappointment if the promise is not kept. Has anyone ever made you a promise and not delivered on it?

This morning—I believe we’ll discover that God is a promise keeper. We’ll see the time had come “for God to fulfill His promise to Abraham” (Acts 7:17). And the children of Israel are not going to be disappointed.

So how does what God did in the OT have any affect on us today? I believe is says that we can count on Him to keep His promise to us as well. Those of us who know Christ as Savior and Lord can rest in the fact that our God delivers on every promise He has ever made.

If you’re here today and do not know Christ as Savior and Lord you can know for sure that “everyone who calls on the Lord will be saved” (Rom 10:13). The reason you can know this is because He has kept all of His promises in the past.

Notice if you will 3 things from our Scripture passage about the promise of God and how we can know that He will keep His promise to us today.

1. God is the One who takes the initiative.

The Israelites had been wandering in the dessert for years because of their doubt and disobedience. In-spite of all that God did to lead His people out of Egyptian captivity—revealing His concern, His compassion and His capabilities…the Israelites turned away from Him. But—there’s good news here in this story. God’s plan for having a people to live in a place He prepared in His presence is not predicated on the faithfulness of man. It will be determined by the character and the power of God.

This is why we read in verse 3, “I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses,” and also in verse 6, “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.” What we see here in this passage is God taking the initiative to insure that His people are able to enter the Promised Land. If it were not for God’s initiative…they would have never gotten there.

Looking back in Israel’s history we see God taking the initiative at every stage. He called Abraham to leave his country and seek a new land. He called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. And now we see that God is once again taking the initiative by calling Joshua to lead His people into the land. The Israelites have basically contributed nothing more than complaints during the whole journey.

This is a similar picture of our own spiritual journey. The Bible teaches that we are not the one who seeks God…He takes the initiative and pursues us. “No one seeks God…all have turned away” according to the apostle Paul (Rom 3:11-12). John tells us the Holy Spirit is the one responsible for drawing a person to God (John 6:44). If you’re here today because there was an impression upon your heart to come and see what’s happening here…that’s God taking the initiative in your life.

Perhaps it was a person or it was just a thought…either way God was the One responsible. The Bible teaches that we are—spiritually speaking, dead to the things of God (Eph 2:1). But—there’s good news where that came from…God has the power to make us alive in order to hear and then respond to the drawing power of His Spirit (Eph 2:5). Again—God is the One taking the initiative. If He’s moving in you heart right now—ask Him to fill your heart with His Spirit. Place your life into His hands.      

2. God is the One who provides the way.

As you read this story it’s important to note that entering the Promised Land was not like the land runs of the 1800’s where homesteaders lined up and raced to take land on a first come first serve basis. The Promised Land was an inheritance—or in other words it’s a designated gift from a benefactor.

What we know from reading this story is the land is right in front of the people…but they have no way of taking possession of it. There’s a river that prevents them from simply walking in and there are people with a military that already live there. But—yet again there is good news in this story. The Israelites serve a great and mighty God who just happens to be the One who owns the land (Psalm 24:1). In verses 2-5 we’re told about the way the Israelites will enter into their inheritance.

Joshua has some leaders go out and carefully instruct the people about what is necessary if they are to have any hope of receiving their inheritance. He says the reason is ‘we have never been this way before’ (v4). They don’t know the way—nor are they spiritually qualified to enter the land. In verse 5 the people are told to consecrate themselves. God was going to be in their presence leading them in to the land and not being spiritually prepared or spiritually pure would mean certain death (Exodus 19). Holiness is required to be in God’s presence.

The same is true for us today. Someone cannot simply enter heaven on their own because first of all they don’t know the way to heaven, and second of all, they cannot make themselves spiritually pure. Only God can accomplish this. This is why Christ went to the cross.

He’s both the way (John 14:6) and our means of purification (John 1:29, Rev 5).

3. God is the One who gets the glory.

Joshua 4:19-24 is a testimony to the power of God. A promise is only as good as the ability of the one who made it…to keep it. When we give someone a promise and are not able to keep it—there may be legitimate reasons. People may even be willing to understand and not hold us accountable or may even forgive us.

But—what we see with God is the fact that nothing can or ever will prevent Him from being a promise keeper. “He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…according to His power” (Eph 3:20).  

As we look forward to the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection—we’ve been looking back to see if there is anything that has happened that will offer us assurance that it’s true.  What we’ve seen time after time is this…He will, He can and He has kept His promises to His people. There’s no reason to believe He won’t continue to be a promise keeper.

God’s promise to us is really very simple…whoever believes in their heart that Jesus came, live, and died so that people can be forgiven from all their sin and are willing to call out to Him and receive His free gift of salvation—they will be saved.  

He not only has the power to make this promise—He has the power to keep it and see that those who trust in His promise make it all the way home to heaven. This is why the angels, and the living creatures, and the elders are singing around the throne—worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, the power, honor and glory are His!

Do you sense that God is taking the initiative in your heart right now? Respond. Are you trying to get to heaven on your own? Jesus said, “I am the way…” Would you like for God to be glorified by your life? Accept His promise of salvation.