Sabbath: God Is Faithful!
Daily Lesson for Sabbath 13th of December 2025
Image © Pacific Press
Read for This Week’s Study: Joshua 21:43-45; 2 Timothy 2:11-13; Joshua 23:1-16; Revelation 14:10,19; Deuteronomy 6:5.
Memory Text:“Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass” (Joshua 21:45, ESV).
When John F. Kennedy addressed the United States at his inauguration, on January 20, 1961, his speech was only 1,366 words, but it left an indelible mark on the American mind. As he encouraged his country to focus on their responsibilities instead of their privileges, he said: “With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God’s work must truly be our own.”
As Joshua, the aging leader of the Israelites, sensed that he was nearing the end of his life, he decided to address the leaders of the nation and the Israelites (Joshua 23:1-16 and 24). Joshua 23:1-16 is focused more on the future and on how to worship God—exclusively. Joshua 24:1-33 reviews God’s faithful acts in the past, with the purpose to prompt a decision concerning who alone deserves to be worshiped: Yahweh.
This week, we will study together the first speech of Joshua, in which he glances back at the victories of Israel but at the same time traces the path of future success for Israel.
I had a wry smile to myself as I started to read the lesson this week. Joshua is an old man having his last say. And I thought of all the evangelists and church leaders who have grown old and have had their last say. Some of them were very thought-provoking. Others could best be described as “grumpy old men”.
The irony for me is that I am an old man now, according to some people, and I worry about whether I am thought-provoking or just a grumpy old man. So, in a sense, these last two lessons are a personal challenge.
Last say:
Inspired, challenged, or enlightened people.
Negative, bitter, or less impactful.
This shows that aging doesn’t automatically bring wisdom or influence; the quality of one’s words or actions matters and will define how they are remembered.
My dear brother in Christ: For me you are always uplifting, encouraging, and a blessing! Often I pass along to non-SDA family and friends your comments.
Thank you Lorayne. I hope that can be said of me out of the carefully curated atmosphere of this forum. 🙂
My brother in Christ Maurice,
I want to affirm what others have said about your input to this forum over the years. It has certainly been a blessing on my life to read your insights, and, in fact, when you do not post it is a let down for me.
May God continue to inspire you to continue contributing as you age gracefully!!!
You are very thoughtful provoking, and I look forward to reading your lesson takes/thoughts as I study my SS lesson each day.
Maurice, thank you for what you continue to do, and for how your thought-inspiring comments have added depth to the sabbath school lessons. It appears that you are not afraid to give your opinion on the topics of the lessons and also on how they are presented. This is refreshing, because most times, comments on the lessons are the same repetitive phrases such as, trust God, he will work it out, don’t worry, everything will be alright, etc. Another important input that you have made is the encouragement for us to ask difficult questions and to stir dialog. I enjoy this, because preaching is one-way communication with no allowance for dialog. So, thanks again Maurice. You have been a blessing to me.
Bro. Ashton, Your personalized and enlightened responses are a hallmark of the wisdom you share on this site.
Concerned about your teaching, can keep you from being a grumpy old man. I have never thought of you as a grumpy old man. I have to go with a thought-provoking teacher interested in steering us in the right path, without spoon feeding us, rather getting us to think on the Word allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our path. Proverbs 3:5-6. Continue with due diligence. 2 Timothy 3:14-17. 😊
God is a promise-keeper. “Not one of all the LORD’s good promises has failed.”(Joshua 23:3, 14). How can we possibly learn to be faithful in keeping our own promises?
1. At all times let us remember what God has done for us in the days past. When we reflect on how faithful God has been to us, we will be challenged to keep our own words. Our faithfulness will grow as we cultivate a sense of thankfulness and gratitude.
2. It is imperative to closely listen and do what the Word of God says. “Be very strong… to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law.” (Joshua 23:6). The Word of God is full of wisdom, which can help us from drifting away from our promises.
3. We should avoid unfaithful people. Bad influence corrupts our desire to be faithful (Joshua 23:7, 12–13).
4. At all times, we should not depend on our own strength. We must stay connected to Him who is perfectly faithful. Only God can give us the strength and courage to keep our words regardless of the consequences.
5. We must understand that unfaithfulness has a terrible cost to pay. We cannot simply walk away from what we have promised and expect all to be well with us (Joshua 23:16).
“The one who keeps an oath even when it hurts… will never be shaken.” (Psalm 15:4–5).
Shalom my family, a vintage song “You are Faithful”, from Billy & Sarah Gaines (1986) to meditate on:
https://youtu.be/MxEl72VeEUo?si=rL0ARphoNPJy71BT
Luv ya!
Yes, ‘God is faithful’! He is faithful in that He follows His Word with actions; experienced by us as reward and punishment. He is not arbitrary, rather looking at the heart of man when judging his actions. Nothing is hidden from Him, all is laid out plain before Him. His instructions are clear – straight forward, easy to understand. How could we still doubt Him to do what He says? Nothing has changed, He still judges faith by our actions – Heb.11:6.
Throughout Israel’s turmoil, God remained faithful to His Word. If they could have just simply loved their God more fervently – believed Him and His Word more fervently, turned away from temptations more fervently -, if they would have just kept their promise to love Him, their lives would have been more peaceful and prosperous; but they could not – 2Chronicles 6:34-40.
Israel is our prime example for understanding God’s ‘faithfulness’ – judging our actions based on the condition of our heart. He knows whether we honor Him with loving faithfulness in Jesus Christ. He promises and reassures the faithful that His Grace can restore our hope and love toward Him – 1 John 1:9-10.
Nah, Maurice Ashton, you are a grumpy old man. 😉 Even so, I OFTEN use your comments in the Sabbath school I teach.😊 I highly value your insights.
God is perfect! I cannot trust anyone else!
Maurice. Whichever way you may prefer to rate yourself as a man of God may not be enough to complete the work of God, but as the good work of your past experience becomes notable to others, they may account for your work in good spirit. In which, in return, the Lord God of the Sabbath may receive your work and reward you in heaven.
JC, what about Paul saying imitate me? I do believe because He was in Christ, he could say that. I do believe you are right. We put Christ as the head of our understanding. I also believe there are men of God who give us inspiration of the Gospel of Christ, and encouragement to stand firm. Yes, most of us have our earthly guru’s, and I agree we make Christ and His righteousness our foundation. Hebrews 13:7. Philippians 3:9.
We will find this week that the things that Joshua brings to us are guru status.
Dottie Rambo expressed our trust in God with her song; He looked beyond my faults and saw my need. Yes, we all have a need of God as our perfect model.
Amazing grace shall always be my song of praise,
For it was grace that bought my liberty.
I do not know just why He came to love me so;
He looked beyond my fault and saw my need.
I shall forever lift mine eyes to Calvary
To view the cross where Jesus died for me.
How marvelous the grace that caught my falling soul;
He looked beyond my fault and saw my need.