None of the good promises the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed. Everything was fulfilled (21: 45). So reads the summary of Canaan’s conquest by the people of God. As their commander, Joshua, prepared to die he reminded them, “I am now going the way of all the earth, and you know with all your heart and all your soul that none of the good promises the LORD your God made to you has failed. Everything was fulfilled for you; not one promise has failed (23: 14). Consequently, Israel possessed the land, defeated her enemies and was granted rest. The persevering power of the promises was demonstrably visible to God’s people. There was no question that God was faithful to His every promise.
God remains faithful to His promises even now. For every one of God’s promises is “Yes” in Him. Therefore the “Amen” is also through Him for God’s glory through us (2 Cor. 1: 20). God’s promises change only if He changes and He does not change. His promises are an extension of His very character.
The promises given to us say something about the dependability of our God. He is forever faithful (1 Cor. 1: 9). Others may prove utterly unreliable but not God. The word of others may at times be suspect but not God’s. The veracity of others may certainly be called into question but not God’s. More faithful than the rising and setting sun is our dependable God. More stable than the Rock of Gibraltar is our dependable God. God can be counted on when no other can. “Because I, Yahweh, have not changed, you descendants of Jacob have not been destroyed” (Mal. 3: 6) is the way God summarized His unfailing commitment to Israel across the ages.
The promises of God also testify to His ability. It is one thing to promise great things to those you love and quite another to deliver on those promises. Some lack the will to deliver. Others lack the power to deliver. God lacks neither. He is truthful and trust-worthy in what He promises and His omnipotence leaves no doubt as to His ability to execute every promise made. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it (1 Thess. 5: 24).
Bible students often engage in friendly debate as to how many promises are found in the Scripture. I honestly do not know but what I do know is that all of them are just as reliable as the God Who spoke them. When I die my avowed testimony will be, None of the good promises the LORD had made to me failed!