How can we trust God's timing in fulfilling promises, as seen in Joshua 13:2? Setting the Scene: Joshua 13:2 and Unfinished Business Joshua 13 opens with an honest appraisal of Joshua’s age and the work still to be done: “ ‘You are old and advanced in years, and very much of the land remains to be possessed. This is the land that remains: all the regions of the Philistines and the Geshurites’ ” (Joshua 13:1-2). God had promised the whole land to Israel, yet decades after crossing the Jordan there were pockets still unconquered. The delay was not a lapse in divine power but a deliberate pace set by the Lord. Why Unfulfilled Promises Don’t Equal Failed Promises • God’s pledges are never abandoned; they unfold according to His perfect plan. • Delay often provides protection. “The LORD your God will drive out these nations before you little by little” (Deuteronomy 7:22). Immediate conquest would have left the land desolate and Israel unable to manage it. • Delay refines faith. “For the vision awaits an appointed time… Though it lingers, wait for it” (Habakkuk 2:3). Waiting seasons mature trust. • Delay showcases patience and mercy. “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise… but is patient with you” (2 Peter 3:9). God allowed time for repentance—even among Israel’s enemies—before final judgment. Lessons on Trusting God’s Timing 1. Recognize that divine timing is purposeful, not random. • Genesis 15:16 foretold Israel’s conquest centuries in advance, pinpointing the “fourth generation.” God acted exactly when He said He would. 2. Accept that partial fulfillment is still fulfillment in progress. • Joshua could point to cities already conquered—proof that God was working—even while ground remained. 3. Remember that God’s timetable often serves multiple layers of His plan. • While Joshua’s campaigns slowed, the tribes needed time to settle, plant crops, and organize worship in the new land. 4. Stand firm on the character of God, not the calendar of man. • “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:7). Quiet confidence rests on who God is, not on how quickly He moves. 5. Observe how promises reach fullness at the “right time.” • “When the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son” (Galatians 4:4). Centuries-long anticipation culminated precisely on schedule, showing that every prophecy meets its appointed hour. Practical Steps for Today • Re-read God’s specific promises in Scripture, anchoring hope in His exact words. • Keep a record of partial answers already given; past faithfulness fuels present patience. • Cultivate obedience in the “in-between” spaces. Israel still had battles to fight and land to manage while waiting for complete possession. • Speak truth to impatience—remind the heart that waiting is not wasted time but workshop time for faith. • Encourage others with testimonies of promises kept; shared stories reinforce collective trust. Encouraging Reminders from Other Scriptures • Hebrews 6:12 — “Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” • Psalm 27:14 — “Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous.” • Isaiah 55:11 — “So My word that goes out from My mouth will not return to Me empty.” • Romans 4:20-21 — Abraham “did not waver through unbelief… being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised.” Closing Thoughts Joshua 13:2 highlights unfinished territory yet guarantees ultimate fulfillment. The same God who parcelled the land to Israel parcels every promise to His people today. Because His word is certain and His timing flawless, every delay is simply another step toward inevitable completion. |
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