It’s hard to see your happy ending when it’s happening. Right now, for the first time in four years, we are on a beach vacation. My baby is napping upstairs, and my husband and our other kids are out splashing and sunning in the ocean. I mean, this is it! Settled family unity with beautiful scenery and a grill. But I’m not sure I’ve rested yet. (Yes, I have little kids and no one ever really rests until everyone is over five, but let’s set that aside for now.) It’s hard to stop and see promises fulfilled, to enjoy rest when it comes, because we are so accustomed to chasing and straining. But God does bring us rest, and we can enjoy it; we just have to keep our eyes open to His goodness.
The book of Joshua is a record of God’s fulfillment of His part of the renewed covenant in Deuteronomy. God gave Israel victories, but each victory required a step of faith. God’s provision for the people as their leader and guide was recorded in this book and recounted to later generations.
“The LORD gave them rest on every side according to all he had sworn to their ancestors” (Joshua 21:44). And the rest He gave extended to every part of their lives. In the civil sphere, He gave them the rule of His righteous law rather than the rule of revenge. They got to enjoy rest from the consequences of earthly vengeance (Joshua 20:1–6), and this blessing extended even to those who merely associated with God’s people. His civil rest was wide and generous (v.9).
He also gave rest in the religious sphere, giving rest to His priests. The Levites received cities of inheritance in all the land. The work of the priesthood was acknowledged and the ministers of God were provided for.
Finally, He gave rest for every heart and mind, enjoying rest from their enemies. In setting apart His people, God provided blessings that extended to every hearth and home, to every field and meadow. He blessed His people with victory and peace.
The foundation for any true rest is built on the fulfilled promises of God. God promised and delivered rest to His people. Although man threw away perfect rest and peace in the garden, God faithfully and continually rescued His people from the slavery and unrest of their own folly, and brought them to a land of rest that He had prepared for them. Every Sabbath, every feast and festival, tells the same story. The promise is for us also. One day, the chasing and straining of this world will cease, and we will find perfect rest and peace in Him forever.
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65 thoughts on "The Lord Fulfills His Promises"
God is so giving and loving. I am thankful for His mercy.
He fulfills every promise ❤️
Sarah praying over you for freedom from anxiety and a revelation of Gods provision over you! Sending love
Lord let me have rest and peace in you
Praying for your son right now that He feels the Father’s love.
Oh how I need some rest. It has been a hard year already. My oldest son is gone with no contact. Yesterday was his birthday. It was a hard day. Praying hard that he is ok. It breaks this Mamas heart. First time to not see him on his birthday. He turned 27.
I love that it ended with the reminder that our constant straining for peace is temporary. I’ve grown so accustomed to it, I don’t even notice it anymore. I just notice my anxiety. Praise God that one day it will no longer be there; He fulfills His promises. ❤️
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Ah, yes! Declare a place of refuge that we may experience resting in His peace.
Beautiful truths about rest and God. Thank you for sharing sisters. Have not felt at peace or rest for the last week since family conflict/drama/misunderstanding arose and was directed squarely at my husband and me from some of my closest family members. Very unexpected and hurtful. Hard to stop my mind and my anger and adrenaline yet need to rest in Jesus since I also am in the ranks of the mamas with a couple littles I care for each day. Isaiah 26:3-4 comes to mind as well: “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is fixed on You because He trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord God is everlasting strength.”
Praying for you Linda!!
Prayers and love, Angie ❤️
Today’s devotional from the Bible app goes with God’s promise being fulfilled. It was: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
John 14:26 NIV
https://www.bible.com/111/jhn.14.26.niv
The first part says to reflect on the words you think of when thinking of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is the guarantee [the first installment, the pledge, a foretaste] of our inheritance until the redemption of God’s own [purchased] possession (His believers], to the praise of His glory. He is our Helper. Jesus said He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. The devotional talks about the Holy Spirit being a genius, but His genius is beyond human discovery. We give Him the opportunity to guide us and teach us by being open by praying, studying, worshipping, and more. He does the work. Here is the devotional if you want to read it. https://www.bible.com/en/reading-plans/13994
God bless each of you.
Thank you for this word. No matter how bad the storms rage and how much we get hit with our Lord is faithful and HE will never leave us and HE will get us through it.
Absolutely beautiful, Tina! It brought me to tears, so so very powerful. BUT GOD! ❤️❤️❤️
Praying for everyone’s needs – especially Heidi and also Taylor. I pray everyday with you all. It is almost my one year anniversary reading along each day. So grateful for SRT! it is such a blessing to use my phone for God’s glory!
“Not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass” Joshua 21:45. This verse is a thunder reminder for me today. Not a word. None out of God’s mouth shall fail. And I love how the author reminds us that, “God gave Israel victories, but each victory required a step of faith”. Our faith makes a huge difference in our victories. Amen and Amen.
@Linda, praying for you to have strength to care for your parents, and praying for strength and healing for both your parents during this difficult time.
@Heidi, wow, you have so much on your plate right now. 3 young children are a lot of work. It’s like you having 3 full-time job loads right now. Praying for more help and support in both work and family aspects to come. Praying for lightened load and rest on you and your family.
@Taylor, praying for your discernment and wisdom as you go into your interview.
@Angie, praying for the heaviness in your situation to be lifted. May God give you renewed strength, hope and joy. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Bless you dear SRT sisters. May we all get stirred up through His Word and find new strength each day.
“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
I agree with you! I’ve learned that my faith is my own and not what anyone else thinks it should be.
Hebrew 4:16Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. This hit my heart today and made me smile! God is good all the time!! ❤️❤️
But God…has given us each other and blessed community of believers! Sisters may you all find some rest in your day and God’s grace.
I’ve always struggled with getting up early and felt like I was failing as a Christian if I didn’t wake with the dawn to spend time with God. I’m learning that God will meet me anywhere, anytime. He is not only waiting in the morning for me, but also at mid morning, lunch time, etc… All throughout my day. Trying to fit the box of what a I thought a good Christian does has been like putting a square peg in a round hole for me, but being led by the Spirit has been so freeing and allows me to be uniquely loved, seen and known by my good almighty Father. Thank you for sharing your hearts sisters, and for creating a safe place for us to grow in our walks together!
Wow Tina, your story is so powerful! Thank you for sharing!!
I soo needed this message today. Last Thursday my dad suffered a stroke. He is the primary care giver for my mom who has dementia, congestive heart failure, and is very overweight. She is also not very nice much of the time. She is very dependent on him and don’t be left alone for very long at a stretch. I have been bouncing between the hospital and my mom since Thursday and I am so very tired. Dad is recovering and he will be able to return home but I don’t know yet what his deficits will be and if he’ll be able to continue to care for mom. They love each other desperately and separating them would be devastating for them. They also have no money for outside care. I’ve been doing all their shopping and paying for everything from groceries to clothes for them. I needed to be reminded of God’s faithfulness and promise of rest. THANK YOU
Come, Lord Jesus, Come.
Well, I took the time to complain earlier so I’ll take the tome to come back and update now.. :)
Thank you, my dear Father, for interrupting my day and schedule.
I received a daily devotional in my inbox about praying for your “rebel teen”. My oldest is only just 9 but, finding myself unexpectedly home with the baby instead of at work, i decided to read it for general application.
I was so convicted of my lack of scriptural prayer over the 3 humans that have been entrusted to me.
I ordered the author’s book that was an edition specifically for kids aged as mine and just spent a good time on my knees in prayer over them. I’ve also committed to devoting the first 20min of each morning to prayer over them, their friends, their character, salvation, and purpose.
If my day had gone according to my plans and schedule, this awakening would never have happened.
So be encouraged by my “messed up morning”! ;) Remember that we are often the ones trying to interrupt HIS great plans- when the reality is, we are HERE EXISTING for HIS plans. We may “plan our ways..”, as the Psalmist states in chapter 16, but (praise God!), “the Lord plans our STEPS.”
Enjoy your day of interruption. :)
(If interested, the site FaithGateway is where i read the article, and the book I purchased on Amazon was Praying the Scriptures for your Children by Jodie Berndt. There are also editions if you have teens or adult children…❤️).
What a raw and beautiful testimony Tina. I love those words “BUT GOD” too. Anytime I think I can’t move forward or how is this situation gonna change or will this brokenness go away…. BUT GOD. My friends and I were talking about life decisions that we made that led us to who we are now and if we took different ones where would we be now. BUT GOD has wrote our story and ever good, bad and ugly day is a blessing from him. I look at my baby girl who is almost 11 months old and was told a little over a year ago that she would not survive in my womb … BUT GOD!!
♥️ the words,”But God,” as they always change the impossible to reality! Thank you, Tina! With God all things are possible!
Tina, amen But God ❤️
Hey Heidi, I know exactly how you feel. My post yesterday was about spending time with God before the busyness of the day starts. It’s absolutely necessary to spend time with God. God says to bring everything to Him. That’s your family, your job, everything!! Even your tiredness. He will give you rest. This is one of God’s promises to you. None of His promises fail. I will continue to pray for you and your family. ❤️
AMELIA HADLEY Joshua 21:45 made my heart ❤️ leap with joy . Thank you for posting it again.
E_ Thank you for your post ❤️
Thank you ladies for sharing and prayers for you all
From He Reads Truth today by Cameron Thomas. “We cannot tell the story of Joshua and the conquest of Canaan without also telling of God’s faithfulness. May it be said of our own lives that our story is permeated and directed by the faithful hand of God, the One who keeps His promises.”. He is faithful, He keeps His promises. He loves me/us and seeks our good. Trust and joy in our God is where we find our rest. Praying for you Taylor to trust what God is telling you and that if this is not the right position for you, He will direct you not to accept it. And for the place He has prepared for you to give you peace in acceptance. Joining prayers for you Heidi, so much to navigate, so much that feels like you have to have everything work like clockwork, I understand this and if it does not all line up feels like calamity. Praying His peace for your soul and release for you, that as the days unfold you feel His peace and see His provision for you in all of these moments. And direction for your sweet heart. For He is able to do so much more than we ask. Praying for you Angie, love your words. One thing at a time looking to His peace. He’s got us in His capable hands. He is so good, our refuge and our strength. This day Sisters, may we walk with our eyes fixed on Jesus the lover of our souls and perfector of our faith. And lay at His feet all that we seem to be carrying and feel the rest in His embrace. Hugs dear Lights, Jesus is shining through you.
@Tina, thank you for sharing such a powerful testimony. Reminding us GOD is there even in our tragedies. To all of you I just want to thank you. I read your comments every morning. You give me perspectives I did not see, you bring encouragement, and through your words I am reminding we are not alone. I feel like I’m part of a little army where no one knows each other but GOD’S love brings them together anyway. Thank you! ❤
Rest is my word for 2021. Resting in who God created me to be, resting in my circumstances, but mostly, resting in His promises… His everlasting joy, His unfailing love, His unending grace and mercy. There’s a peace that comes when I keep my focus on Him. Fill us up today, Holy Spirit! Bring rest to these beautiful ladies, some who need it more than others. Show us your face in the small moments and bring us your joy throughout our day. Thank you for your fulfilled promises!
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
Praying for all of you ladies today!
HE is my hiding place! I rest in Him alone. I love this place. Nothing fancy. Just my couch, blanket, pillow and coffee. And in the summer, outside enjoying the sunrise. Someday, and I hope very soon, we will all rest with our Lord God Jesus forever. Meanwhile I do not want to lose an opportunity to tell others. Please pray as I’m having an amazing opportunity to pour into A newly married young lady whom I’ve grown fond of. My mothers heart wants her to know our beautiful Jesus. Truly know Him.
Approaching the throne of grace today, that I may find rest and the timely help
Reflecting on the rest I have experienced during this current season of job searching. Also chewing on the quote “God gave Isreal victories, but each victory required a step of faith.” I feel as if I’m dragging my feet on a certain decision I need to make, and yesterday’s discussion about what Canaanites in my life I needed to destroy also related to this decision.
Ladies, can you pray for me today? I have a final interview for a possible job that I have some hesitancies about, but it’s currently the only employer who has reached out to me after I’ve applied to over 20+ jobs. Being a new grad isn’t easy and this contract would hopefully only be for 1 year. Is this what God is calling me to? Prayers for discernment please!
@Jenn you’re comment about our churches being a safe place made me think of how Christians should be that safe place for other Christians & to point those seeking Safety to the ultimate safe place- Jesus.
@ Heather There is so much resting on circumstances outside of your control and yet you cannot rest. I’m praying that Jesus pulls you close to Him in a real way today & that even in the busy day you feel His gentleness.
@Heidi, I completely get it. While I don’t have the same situation with kids and work, I have found that I am tired of being tired. Tired of saying how tired I am. Tired of having to be “on” for work, “on” for my teens, “on” for volunteer positions, and on and on and on…. I’ve been up since 2 am because I’m overthinking. And more I’m mad I’ll be even more tired today.
I appreciate your honesty. I join you in trying to find rest; as well as time with God. Prayers for you.
Rest God provides over and over and man has thrown it away. One day we will rest with King Jesus and God forever!
Not one word of God’s promises failed to come to pass, he fulfills every promise. I can find rest in his faithfulness and promises. With 3 young children at home it’s hard to find rest. Lord help me to find rest by looking for your goodness each day
I’m so sorry Heidi, this sounds miserable…
“God gave Israel victories, but each victory required a step of faith.” Sometimes I feel I’m in the forest and can’t see the trees… taking a deep breath and reminding myself that opening my eyes this morning, with my family healthy and safe, is a victory. Grateful for this reminder today.
Amen TINA. Thank you for sharing. Powerful.
Praying for you, Heidi, as you navigate this season with your family. May God bless you and encourage you as you seek to rest in him.
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@Heidi
Thank you for sharing! It’s crazy how exhausting this “new normal” has been.
I woke up feeling that same under-rested feeling with my mind instantly snapping into figuring out schedules and decisions. For me, the especially life zapping comes as I navigate natural changes as our girls grow along with the lack of in-person community. Is this normal? Is that normal? How did you handle this?
But God… (thank you, @Tina)
But God wants me to commune with Him first. Find my rest in Him first. Ask my questions first of Him. TRUST Him. He loves them best after all. And He loves me and desires me.
“Come to Me all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
The thought of rest and peace FOREVER. I will hold that in my heart today.
I find myself in a space of “DONE!” way more often these days… I tire easily it seems like, but in reality I think it’s more that I just am never fully rested. I’m running off of partial rest, which runs out quickly, then work out of a deficit which is mentally exhausting as much as it is physically. Mentally I feel like I am on constant alert. If one of my children has a cough from allergies, suddenly she can’t attend school. So i have to cancel work. So i have to figure out my budget from lost income. So I have to reschedule patients I would’ve seen. So i have to find childcare (if possible) on a odd day for the baby… and on it goes. It’s like the slightest shift in anything fully erupts my life and it keeps me on this constant vigilance to try and stay in front of it. It’s exhausting. Even this morning I woke up to a text the sitter has to cancel due to some legitimate reasons, and I find my mind suddenly shifted from “ok this is my early time, everyone is sleeping, I get my quiet time with God…” to – ok time to email patients, cancel appointments I had made for myself (and be charged late cancellation fees), reschedule what I can, etc. I don’t know what I’m looking for because rest in the midst of this “new normal” we are all in seems fully impossible. And I’m so tired of being tired…
I am trying to practice gratitude in the midst of it. Fine what pieces I can still be grateful for. Look intentionally at what I take for granted that He has freely blessed me with. I think it’s the only saving grace to any of it.
Absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing your heart with us, I know it will bless others just as it has blessed me.❤️
The foundation for any true rest is built on the fulfilled promises of God. So grateful to have peace and rest in Him!
I love that the text names that many of the cities allotted to the Levites were the cities of refuge. This is still true today! The church should be a safe place for people to come too to find hope, healing, and rest because the church is the representation of Jesus on the earth!
Tina, thank you for sharing your powerful testimony. “But God” really says it all.
One day we will all stand on a new earth beneath a new heaven, before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We will look at one another and say “Everything was fulfilled.” We will worship with great joy and have rest and peace forever!
Thank you for sharing. Tina! What a powerful testimony of God’s power. Rest in God is definitely a rest like no other.
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Tina, thank you for sharing your testimony! Your words always bring encouragement and love. ❤️
My world has many challenges at the present. I feel as if I am battling the enemy on all sides. Life is heavy. Yet, there is peace, an underlying rest that permeates my soul. Like life in the cities of refuge, I am thankful that God gives me a place of peace, rest, and healing to run to. Most of the battles I am fighting are not of my making, yet God had to allow them, or they would not be. I will trust Him to use them for good. I will trust the safety of His walls and see them as a blessing of protection instead of confinement from something. God is my refuge and my fortress. He is the giver of joy and rest, even in the most challenging circumstances. I choose to praise Him and thank Him. I chose to rest in His love and peace. For He is good. His mercy endures, forever. Amen.
“None of their enemies were able to stand against them, for the Lord handed over all their enemies to them. None of the good promises the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed. Everything was fulfilled.” Jos 21:44b-45
NOTHING God promises fails to come to pass in the way that brings HIM glory. In His goodness and kindness, He lets us participate in the whole plan.
Loved this!
“But God does bring us rest, and we can enjoy it; we just have to keep our eyes open to His goodness…”
THIS, this right there, had me at ‘But God’, my two favorite words..
I clearly remember a day when rest and peace came to me. When all around me was madness and chaos, upside down and inside out..
But God..
Can I tell you how much I LOVE Those two words❤)
I had been dragged through the worst possible scenario.. I had lost my daughter. I was lost, confused, brokenhearted, to the point of suicidal, shattered from watching her slip away, that strong grip of her hand in mine to her life disappearing before my aching breaking heart. I was broken. I could see no way ever of getting me back, because most of me had died with her. I felt, as the months rolled into years and I still held on to ‘that day’ and what it took from me, that this was my lot..and I was prepared for it to be so..
But God..
Though He had shown me, clear as day where she was in a ‘God and Tina’ moment, it still took some time after to figure things out by His grace and mercy..
Five years after my daughters passing, I was baptised, totally and utterly gave my life to the One who saved me, on the anniversary of her death.. not everyone’s cup of tea, but I made a pact with God that He would give me a day thst will forever be a reminder of my baptism.
8th November, forever etched on my heart, as the day my daughter left this world to go home to be with the Lord, but also the day I finally found rest from my worries and aches of the past, peace of heart knowing that God, was, is and will always be with me.
It was, and still is as I recall it one of the most profound moments of my life.
I am not saying for one moment that all was rosy after that, absolutely not.. far from it..
BUT GOD.
BUT GOD.
BUT GOD, does bring us rest and we can enjoy it; we just have to keep our eyes open to His goodness..
Amen..
Happy rest filled Tuesday Sisters. He is good, He is God. Always..❤