How to be certain we actually do believe the promises of God

By Dean Collins

What is the evidence that we actually believe the promises given to us in Scripture?

Is it the number of wins we secure? Success in athletic competition is certainly measured by wins and losses. Is it team or individual statistics? Every coach evaluates the team’s stats; every athlete knows their standing. Every manager knows good statistics bring good trade and negotiation potential.

Maybe financial results are evidence we believe in the promises of Scripture. The Lord seems to call lots of people to plant churches here and throughout the world. The Lord also calls some to launch nonprofit organizations that do a variety of ministry to meet the known needs of the community: needs like poverty, education, financial stewardship, healthcare, and others. So once those churches are planted and ministries are launched, are financial results the indication we believe in the promises of God?

Or is courageous, bold leadership the evidence? Joshua is an interesting study on this topic. He had a sure and specific calling as the successor of Moses. He was also given very clear direction concerning his mission. He was to lead the people of Israel through the final steps out of the wilderness and into their Promised Land. Some of the land was occupied by other rulers, yet Joshua was told that everywhere he stepped would become land now given to his children. (1:3).

Facing the challenge

Despite likely resistance and potential battles to secure the land they would occupy, Joshua was told to be strong and courageous. He was told not to be frightened or dismayed, because the Lord God was with him every step of the way. Chapters 2—5 record a sequence of events that prepared God’s chosen to receive the Promised Land.

Chapter 2 records the surveillance of Jericho.
Chapter 3 tells about the crossing of the Jordan.
Chapter 4 sees the memorial stones gathered and set in place to commemorate the fulfillment of the promised crossing.
Chapter 5 captures the spiritual preparation that included circumcision for all the males and the first celebration of the Passover feast since leaving Egypt.

The people were ready, and Joshua was ready. It was go time. With great anticipation Joshua looked up at the road to Jericho, and there directly in front of him was a man with a sword drawn and prepared to fight. What would you do? Retreat? Panic? Pray? Beg to not be harmed?

Joshua stepped forward toward the armed warrior and asked a question. “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” The answer would determine Joshua’s next decision. If the warrior was against the people, then a battle between Joshua and the man was imminent. If the answer was for the people, then an alliance or partnership was likely. But the answer was, “No, I am the commander of the Army of the Lord. Now I have come.”

It’s a stunning answer. Everyone knows you have to pick a side. You can’t be neutral. We live in a for or against culture. Neutral is not an option. It’s always about winning, isn’t it? And if you try to build bridges or find common ground, won’t you quickly be kicked to the side and canceled? It’s right or left and right or wrong, isn’t it? You have to be for it or against it, whatever the situation or topic, don’t you?

Experiencing the presence

The evidence that Joshua believed the promises of God seems clear. He didn’t panic, fight, or step backwards. He practiced what he had been told to do. He was strong and courageous. He wasn’t dismayed by the armed man in front of him. Joshua believed the Lord was with him. And in that moment his belief was confirmed. Joshua fell to his face in the presence of God and asked what the Lord had to say to him. The answer was to remove his sandals because in God’s presence we stand on holy ground.

What a gift for Joshua! He knew the promises of God. He knew the mission ahead of him and that it would not be easy. But in this moment he experienced the presence and holiness of God. He learned that God doesn’t operate the way we do. He doesn’t love some and hate others. His goal is that his kingdom would come on earth as it is in Heaven. His presence is the pathway to the advancement of his kingdom. If God is not present, the mission is never accomplished.

Claiming our role

Joshua would step into some battles, but the battles were not his, and he was not the commander of the Lord’s army. As he stood on holy ground, he discovered his place and his role. The apostle Paul adds insight for us concerning battles and our role in them. If you read Ephesians 6 you discover there are lots of battles, but our fight isn’t against each other. The fight is against the enemy of God’s kingdom. We are explicitly told what to do as we live our lives of service. And the instructions begin long before the end of Ephesians chapter 6. After a rich discussion of who Jesus is and who we are as the church, Paul puts forward practical steps, beginning in chapter 5.

His opening line is this: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

So here’s one evidence of actually believing God’s promises: imitating God by walking in love. Nothing mentioned about fighting so far. Throughout chapter 5, Paul gives numerous practical ways we walk in love wisely. He addresses our speech, our morals, our sexual behaviors, our marriage relationships, and our parenting.

Then Paul gives us final instructions, beginning with a phrase that sounds a lot like what God told Joshua: “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.”

Next we receive wardrobe advice. Paul isn’t particularly concerned about fashion, but rather preparation. He knew from experience that the enemy is always looking to pounce, so being in uniform is our best defense. But note these specifics:

1) We put on the armor of God to stand against, not to fight (v. 11).
2) We armor up to withstand the evil day, and again we are told to stand (v. 13).
3) Once again we are told to stand prepared (v. 14).
4) Finally we are told to hold on to the Word of God (the sword) and pray (vv. 17, 18).

There is not any fighting called for on our part. Just as with Joshua, the commander of the Lord’s army has done and will do the fighting. We are called to be a people of love and grace with each other. We withstand evil, but we aren’t called to attack anyone.

Maybe the best evidence we believe the promises of God in Scripture is our willingness to take off our shoes because everywhere we are called to serve and live is holy ground. And then, suited up properly, we stand in uniform, walking in the grace of Jesus as he fights our battles.

Your time with God’s Word
Joshua‬ ‭1:1, 5-7, 9‬; ‭‭ ‭5:13-15‬; Ephesians‬ ‭5:1-2‬; ‭6:10-18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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Photos by Andy Montes de Oca and by Nik Shuliahin on Unsplash