There they were, on the other side. The other side of the Jordan, the other side of the battles, the other side of the land distribution. They came, they conquered, they were settling in. That’s where they were.

Oh, it may have not happened quite like they expected. How crazy a military plan was just walking around Jericho? And who saw the defeat at Ai coming? That almost broke their spirit. But they persisted. Persisted through the central campaign which gave them a foothold and then through the long arduous southern campaign which essentially secured the takeover of the promised land.

That’s what it was, a takeover of the promised land. Their best efforts, but God’s eternal plan. Their blood, sweat, and tears required to appropriate it, His guaranteed blessings, engagement, and day-in-and-day-out presence to deliver it. As they looked back on the road well-travelled and asked, “What has failed of all the good things God promised us?” Their answer was clear and unequivocal, “Not one word.”

Thus the LORD gave to Israel all the land that He swore to give to their fathers. And they took possession of it, and they settled there. And the LORD gave them rest on every side just as He had sworn to their fathers. Not one of all their enemies had withstood them, for the LORD had given all their enemies into their hands. 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 21:43-45 ESV)

Joshua summoned all Israel, its elders and heads, its judges and officers, and said to them, “I am now old and well advanced in years. . . . And now I am about to go the way of all the earth, and you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the LORD your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed.

(Joshua 23:2, 14 ESV)

How many words had failed of the promise God had made to His people? Not one word.

How’s encouraging is that for the weary pilgrim on their own path towards taking hold of the promises of God? Pretty encouraging!

Battles to be fought? Yup, pretty much every day. Sometimes ya’ feel like you’re just marching in circles? Sometimes. Defeats along the way? Uh-huh, too many — and three steps forward one or two back gets wearying after a while. But how many words of what God has promised are gonna fail? None. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Not one word.

And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

(Philippians 1:6 ESV)

He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.

(1Thessalonians 5:24 ESV)

I am sure of this . . . He will surely do it . . . Not one word will fail.

By His grace. For His glory.