Promise Keepers
Today’s Verse
And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go. ~Joshua 1:16
Years ago, a group of Christian men began a short-lived movement called Promise Keepers. The intention of this movement was to rally men to be better husbands and fathers. Its name was a reminder that they made a solemn promise to be stalwart men in the lives of their wives and children. This morning, we see a group of men who were called upon to remember a promise that they had made to their fellow brethren. It is a valuable lesson that once we make a promise, we should do all that we can to keep it.
We see the land.
“The LORD your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land.” The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh saw the land east of the Jordan River and asked Moses for that area for their possession. They promised Moses that they would help the other nine and half tribes in fighting the battles to secure the land on the west side. Moses agreed to this, but sternly reminded them to keep their promise, lest their sin find them out. They got their land before the other nations. They had settled their flocks and families already. They were enjoying God’s blessings. We who are blessed should not forget to be a blessing to those who need our help.
We see the legacy.
“Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you…. According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things.” Moses had graduated to Heaven a little more than thirty days before this meeting with Joshua. Joshua told them to remember what they had told Moses. Don’t forget the spiritual forefathers who invested in you and paved the way for your faith. Some of these men may have graduated and gone to Heaven, but we are to keep the same doctrine, the same practices, and the same standards that they gave to us. Keep the memory of a spiritual forefather alive by having the same faith and fire.
We see the leader.
“According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the LORD thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses.” The first priority for Joshua was to make sure that he had the hearts of these three tribes. These men validated their promise with Joshua. They were present when God gave His approval upon Joshua. As God’s new leader, it was important that Joshua got their commitment to help him and the other tribes acquire their inheritance. In leadership, take nothing for granted and make sure that promises made are promises kept.
We see the Lord.
“Only the LORD thy God be with thee.” The most important Person that the promise was made to was God. Moses was gone and Joshua had just assumed the helm, but God was still overseeing all of this. Leadership succession does not change the fact that God is God. God never changes. God still expects us to exercise faith. God still desires for us to depend upon Him. God still wants us to exercise courage and to be strong. It was important that these three tribes did not detach themselves from the spiritual activities, practices, and promises they made.
Be a committed Christian! Be committed to the Lord, to His service, to His church, to your marriage, to your children, and to the people He has placed into your life. Be all the way in. Say what you will do, and do what you said.
Have a committed God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Deuteronomy 14-16