“The Fulfilment of God’s Promises” Late Mr. N. Daniel

Joshua 23:14 “And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.”

These were the words Joshua spoke to Israel. He had travelled with his people from Egypt to Canaan. He saw all the works of God. He watched also all the disobediences of Israel. It took a long time for God to do what He meant to do in a short time. The promises of God require your co-operation for fulfilment. When you gladly choose to do the will of God, it means you are cooperating with God. Nature itself will co-operate with such people. The sea, the clouds, the electrical charges in the atmosphere, the birds, etc., co-operated to work together for Israel. They had obeyed God and departed from Egypt. When they were willing to make the journey in obedience to God, all those who tried to hinder them were punished. Pharaoh and his army perished. The crops, the animals, the first-born of Egypt all had to suffer. When God begins to act, everything has to give way. Those who stand against His path will have to face punishment. Israel saw all these glorious acts of God. Yet, they hardened their hearts. The Bible says, "Blessed are those who delight greatly in His commandments." The hearts of such people can understand the ways of God. Joshua says, "None of the good things that God had promised Israel failed." Joshua himself did not disobey God. But, he saw that the fulfilment of God's Word was delayed. The cause of this delay was the disobedience of Israel.

When Moses was sent by God to Egypt, God's time for action had come. But, the preparation of Israel was not adequate. They had bodies and minds which would not obey God. Therefore, they hindered the works of God. Deuteronomy 29:4 “Yet the Lord hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.” Moses said to Israel, “Having seen the wonders that God did, and experienced the miraculous provision of God, yet they would not obey God.” But God wanted to fulfill His Word and was trying to do so. God always wants to fulfill the promises He has given to us. But we see that it takes a long time. The reason is that, what God is building you are pulling down, and He has to start all over again.

God's promises were fulfilled in the life of Abraham, but it took a long time because Abraham did not wholly co-operate with God. Genesis 17:1 “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect." When Abraham began to co-operate fully, angels visited his home, and dined there, and blessed him and Sarah with such a blessing that their youthful strength came back to them.

“If God is Almighty can He not use His power to fulfill His promises in spite of me?”, you may ask. Yes, He can use His great power and can fulfill His Word, but if you are standing in the way you will perish. Therefore, He restrains His power. He gently rebukes you, corrects you, and tries to bring you to co-operate with Him so that He can fulfill His promises. When the fulfilment of His promises are delayed, the coming of His kingdom is also delayed. Some people ask, “Cannot God forgive us and fulfill His promises?” Yes, He does forgive, but He cannot fulfill the promises. After you have been forgiven and saved, if you will listen to Him and obey Him, then He will fulfill the promises freely.

If the church which knows the Word of God will not obey the Word, the second coming of Christ is delayed. We who pray, “Thy kingdom come”, should also pray that God should help us to fulfill His will on earth. We should not hinder the great thoughts that God has for us. In those days, the Israelites who started from Egypt could not reach Canaan. In the days of David, the temple could not be built. What was the reason? Disobedience! God however, is ever faithful and always tries to fulfill His promises. II Timothy 2:13 “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” His nature is faithfulness. You are blaming God for not fulfilling His promises. You say God has not been fair. But, you are the cause.

God finally brought Israel into the promised land that flowed with milk and honey. The heathen who opposed them along the way perished. The Israelites who were a hindrance also died. Only their children inherited the promised land. They knew not Egypt and the slavery of Egypt. Those who had been subject to that slavery carried their slavish spirit with them. It was that spirit that killed them along the way. Be careful! Egypt can follow you. Unless this slavish mentality, this yielding to sin, is buried in the grave of Jesus, it will hinder you along the way. But if it is buried with Jesus, you'll partake of His resurrection and be one who co-operates with Him. The Egyptian nature has to die. The flesh-pots of Egypt should be forgotten. Fear may trouble you on your journey to the land that flows with milk and honey, but God will take away that fear. The sea may stand on your way, but the sea will be divided. You may have to taste bitter waters, but there is also a tree which makes the bitter water sweet. You may have to cross the wilderness where there is no water, but there are rocks from which waters will flow! For all the many troubles you may have to face on this journey, there are miraculous deliverances planned for you. God is able to work that none of the good Words He has spoken may go unfulfilled. Joshua saw this victory. Have you seen it? God is able to take a weak soul like you and destroy the Egyptian nature in you and give you a new nature, and fulfill His promise of bringing you into the land where you are satisfied with milk and honey. None of His Words will fail. All His promises are true. Elisha was an obedient student. He gained precious experience under Elijah. He never murmured. He lived a very victorious life. After his death, even his bones brought life to a dead man. Are the promises of God getting fulfilled in you? “I will put my spirit within them and cause them to walk in my statutes.” Are you experiencing this? No matter from whence you have been taken, He can cause you to walk in His statutes. He can make faith and love flow out of you. Faith and love are that milk and honey. Out of the fulness that God gives you, faith and love will flow.