God made that vow, even though he’d finished his part before the foundation of the world. Somewhere it’s written, “God rested the seventh day, having completed his work,” but in this other text he says, “They’ll never be able to sit down and rest.” So this promise has not yet been fulfilled. Those earlier ones never did get to the place of rest because they were disobedient. God keeps renewing the promise and setting the date as today, just as he did in David’s psalm, centuries later than the original invitation: 

Today, please listen, don’t turn a deaf ear… 

And so this is still a live promise. It wasn’t canceled at the time of Joshua; otherwise, God wouldn’t keep renewing the appointment for “today.” The promise of “arrival” and “rest” is still there for God’s people. God himself is at rest. And at the end of the journey we’ll surely rest with God. So let’s keep at it and eventually arrive at the place of rest, not drop out through some sort of disobedience. 

God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God’s Word. We can’t get away from it—no matter what. Hebrews‬ ‭4:3-13‬ ‭(msg)

Today can be our day. No matter what has happened in the past, today we are invited to take part in His Kingdom. We will never know what would have been – but we can discover what Will Be. He meets us wherever we are and will not leave us there. As we learn to listen to His Way – we will walk a new path – one that leads us out of death and into Glory and Life. 

Today! Yes, the promise is for today! Don’t turn a deaf ear; learn to Live. 

I need to address this question: How? It really is so simple we have a hard time believing it: We trust Him, fully, as a Sovereign God of Love. We let His truths and promises, His Spirit, fill us. As we fill up on Him, fear and discontent will weaken. Be careful! Don’t try to run right away. Wait on God… get to know Him. This is Life. Do your daily tasks with joy, drawing closer to Him in the mundane and ordinary – let Him work. Stop ordering and ruling every situation; wait on God. We will want to give in to fear and doubt but do not let them rule you. His way is of peace, goodness, patience, self-control, kindness, gentleness, and LOVE! As His love displaces the fear, the love will bear fruit in our lives because it is His love. 

His promise is for today.