The book of Joshua begins with God’s command to Joshua to lead the people over the Jordan River and into the Promised Land. You will remember that about 680 years before this, God had called Abraham and promised him this land of Canaan. And that’s where Abraham, Isaac and Jacob lived as strangers until Jacob moved to Egypt. It was in Egypt that the people of Israel were slaves for 430 years. After this, God sent them Moses to be their leader and rescue them from Egypt. But when the people got to the Promised Land, ten of the twelve spies told the people that Canaan wasn’t a good land. Therefore, God punished the Israelites for their lack of trust in him, by sending them back into the wilderness for forty years.

A lot had happened and many years had passed since the Lord first promised this land to Abraham. But God is a faithful covenant LORD and so he never forgets his promises. He will make sure that whatever he has promised, will happen.

And so at the beginning of this book of Joshua, the people were at the entrance of the land of Canaan. Even though Israel had sinned and was unfaithful to God, God always kept his love for them. Even when they complained about the food in the desert or worshipped the Golden Calf, God continued to love his unfaithful people. The fact that they were now again at the entrance of the land was proof of God’s love and faithfulness.

The Lord even says in verse 3, “The land I have given you.” God spoke as though what he had promised them — the land — had already been given to them. That’s how faithful God is.

And so you too can always trust God’s promises. Whatever he has promised, he will give to you. And even though you are sinful, just like the Israelites, and don’t always show your love to the Lord, God’s love for you will continue always. This is because he has sent his Son, the Lord Jesus, to pay for your sins.

Reflection with your child:

What does it mean that God is faithful?

Source: Sermon, by Rev. R. Vermeulen