Joshua 23:14-15 (ESV) – “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.”

Everyone dies. Sorry, I know that is a morbid way to begin today’s devotional, but it’s true. Every person you see around you or know (unless the Lord returns first) is going to perish. Remembering this is important for how we live. It sobers us up. It keeps us mindful that we will stand before God and that our days are short. 

Our passage today helps us to look at this in a particular light. We see Joshua speaking to the people of Israel. He has led them for years now. They have witnessed and experienced incredible things together as they settled into the Promised Land. Listen to Joshua’s words to the people, “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.”

Notice that Joshua remarks that he’s about to go “the way of all the earth.” This is his way of saying “I’m going to die.” But he says it in a way that reminds his listeners that this is not unique. In fact, this is so common for all that it is “the way of all the earth.” It doesn’t matter what your ethnicity, religion, or gender is, you’re going to die. All the earth experiences this penalty from the fall.

But Joshua continues by reminding them of what accompanied him, and them, all the days they lived—God’s unfailing word. All of God’s promises to His people were fulfilled to them. Everything He promised came to pass. Not one promise failed. Joshua wants the people to remember this as he nears death, because even though they will have a change of leadership, there will not be a change of God. He is with them. His promises don’t change. 

This is absolutely true for us today too. His Word has never, and will never, fail us either. We know this in our heart and soul. Does this mean we’ve never had hardships? Certainly not. Does this mean that everything has been easy for us? No. But what it does mean is that everything God has promised and said He will do, He does. Every time.

Build your life on His Word. It is the only sure foundation underneath our feet. As people come and go in our lives, and as circumstances change, one thing remains the same: the God of promise.

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Reflection & Journal: 
- Why does Joshua give this speech to them at the end of his life?
- What result is Joshua hoping to accomplish with His words? What does it mean for us today?
- How can you apply this passage in your own life and heart? 

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