Joshua Chapter 21

Cities Appointed for the Levites

Joshua 21:1-3 — Scripture (KJV)

“Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites unto Eleazar the priest, and unto Joshua the son of Nun, and unto the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel; And they spake unto them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, The Lord commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with the suburbs thereof for our cattle. And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance, at the commandment of the Lord, these cities and their suburbs.”

The heads of the Levitical families approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua, and the tribal leaders at Shiloh. This action demonstrates their faithfulness to God’s Word and their reliance on His promises. They did not demand land as a right, nor did they attempt to seize territory by force. Instead, they came respectfully and appealed to the command of God given through Moses. This teaches that ministry leaders must rely on what God has spoken, not on human schemes or self-assertion.

When the Levites declared, “The Lord commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in,” they referred to the instructions God had given earlier in Numbers chapter 35. The Levites were not given a tribal territory like the other tribes, but they were assigned forty-eight cities, each with surrounding common-lands or “suburbs” for their livestock and daily needs. God made provision for their physical necessities, even though their inheritance was not land but Himself.

This reveals a powerful spiritual principle. The tribe of Levi was set apart for service to the Lord. They were not to be entangled with land ownership or political control. The Lord Himself was their inheritance, as He said in Numbers 18:20, “And the Lord spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them, I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.” Their lives were to be centered on worship, sacrifice, teaching the Law, and intercession for the people. Therefore, God ensured His servants were cared for through the obedience of the other tribes.

When the text states, “So the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance,” it shows immediate obedience from the nation. No tribe resisted this instruction. They recognized that the Levites’ calling was vital for Israel’s spiritual health. The people could not worship properly, offer sacrifices, or receive instruction in the Law without the ministry of the Levites. Therefore, God commanded every tribe to contribute part of their land to support the work of the ministry.

This foreshadows New Testament truth. Just as the Levites depended on the faithfulness of Israel, ministers of the gospel live by the support of God’s people. First Corinthians 9:13-14 says, “Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.”

The Levites lived scattered among the tribes of Israel. This was by design. They were not gathered in one place, but placed throughout the land to teach the Law, maintain worship, and provide spiritual guidance. This distributed placement ensured that every tribe had access to spiritual instruction. God did not want His Word confined to one geographic region but available among all His people.

Joshua 21:4–8 — King James Version (KJV)

“And the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites; and the children of Aaron the priest, which were of the Levites, had by lot out of the tribe of Judah, and out of the tribe of Simeon, and out of the tribe of Benjamin, thirteen cities. And the rest of the children of Kohath had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim, and out of the tribe of Dan, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh, ten cities. And the children of Gershon had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities. The children of Merari by their families had out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities. And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites these cities with their suburbs. As the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land.”

The text begins by revealing that the Levitical cities were assigned by lot. This shows that their inheritance was not determined by human preference or political advantage but by the sovereign will of God. The Kohathites, who were the most honored division of the Levites because Aaron’s priestly line came from them, received thirteen cities from Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin. This ensured that the priests would live near the temple in Jerusalem, which would later be established within the borders of Judah and Benjamin. God placed spiritual leadership near the center of worship.

The rest of the Kohathites, not of Aaron’s direct line, received ten cities from Ephraim, Dan, and the western half-tribe of Manasseh. These were centrally located in the land, making access to priestly instruction available to the heart of Israel. The Gershonites received cities in the northern regions, including territory from Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and the eastern half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan. The sons of Merari, the third Levitical division, were given cities in the south and east from Zebulun, Reuben, and Gad. This structure meant that all of Israel, from north to south and west to east, had direct access to the ministry of the Levites.

The pattern is intentional. God did not create an isolated Levitical province. Instead, He scattered His ministers among all the tribes to ensure that worship, instruction in the Law, and sacrificial service were available to everyone. This fulfilled His earlier command in Numbers 35:2, which says, “Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them.”

This also foreshadows the New Testament truth that Christians are God’s priests in this world. First Peter 2:5 says, “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” God does not gather Christians into one isolated nation or one geographic location. Instead, He places His people throughout every nation and tribe so that His truth might shine in every place.

Finally, the text emphasizes, “As the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses, so the children of Israel did.” This obedience is notable. Israel had failed in some areas, yet in this matter they obeyed fully. They recognized that the Levites were necessary for their spiritual health. Without spiritual instruction, the nation would fall into idolatry and judgment. By giving up portions of their land to the Levites, the tribes demonstrated submission to God’s will and support for His worship.

Joshua 21:9–19 — King James Version (KJV)

“And they gave out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, these cities which are here mentioned by name, Which the children of Aaron, being of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi, had: for theirs was the first lot. And they gave them the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron, in the hill country of Judah, with the suburbs thereof round about it. But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, gave they to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession. Thus they gave to the children of Aaron the priest Hebron with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Libnah with her suburbs, And Jattir with her suburbs, And Eshtemoa with her suburbs, And Holon with her suburbs, And Debir with her suburbs, And Ain with her suburbs, And Juttah with her suburbs, And Bethshemesh with her suburbs; Nine cities out of those two tribes. And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with her suburbs, Geba with her suburbs, Anathoth with her suburbs, and Almon with her suburbs; Four cities. All the cities of the children of Aaron, the priests, were thirteen cities with their suburbs.”

The text now begins to name the specific cities assigned to the priestly line of Aaron. These were taken from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin. The priestly cities were given first because the priesthood was the most sacred and central ministry of the nation. The priests offered sacrifices, maintained the altar, burned incense, and pronounced blessings upon the people. Therefore, God ensured they were provided for first, before the rest of the Levites.

The first city given was Hebron, also called Kirjath Arba, named after Arba the father of Anak. Hebron holds deep historical and spiritual value. Abraham dwelt there, Sarah was buried there, and it was from this area that the spies saw the giants of Anak. Now, it becomes a city of refuge and a priestly city. This reveals God's power to take a place associated with fear and giants and turn it into a place of mercy and worship.

However, the fields and villages surrounding Hebron were given to Caleb, as already promised in Joshua chapter 14. The priests received the city itself and its immediate common-land, while Caleb retained the outer lands for his inheritance. This reveals balance and faithfulness to prior promises. God does not violate one promise to fulfill another. His covenants and distributions are perfectly ordered.

Hebron is also declared a city of refuge for the manslayer, showing that mercy and priestly ministry are joined. It was fitting that those who represented God’s atoning work would also dwell in a city where those seeking mercy could flee. This foreshadows Christ, our High Priest, who is both the place of refuge and the One who intercedes for us.

The rest of the cities from Judah and Simeon given to the priests are Libnah, Jattir, Eshtemoa, Holon, Debir, Ain, Juttah, and Bethshemesh — making nine from those two tribes. From the tribe of Benjamin were added Gibeon, Geba, Anathoth, and Almon — making four more, bringing the total to thirteen cities for the priestly descendants of Aaron.

Anathoth is notable in Scripture as the hometown of Jeremiah the prophet. It was a priestly town, yet the priests in Jeremiah's day were often corrupt, showing that being near the things of God does not guarantee obedience unless the heart is surrendered to the Lord.

Altogether, these thirteen cities ensured that priests lived near the heart of the nation, close to Jerusalem, where the tabernacle at Shiloh would later give way to the Temple. God placed His priests among the people to be accessible, to teach, to intercede, and to preserve true worship.

Joshua 21:20–26 — King James Version (KJV)

“And the families of the children of Kohath, the Levites which remained of the children of Kohath, even they had the cities of their lot out of the tribe of Ephraim. For they gave them Shechem with her suburbs in mount Ephraim, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Gezer with her suburbs, And Kibzaim with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs; four cities. And out of the tribe of Dan, Eltekeh with her suburbs, Gibbethon with her suburbs, Aijalon with her suburbs, Gathrimmon with her suburbs; four cities. And out of the half tribe of Manasseh, Tanach with her suburbs, and Gathrimmon with her suburbs; two cities. All the cities were ten with their suburbs for the families of the children of Kohath that remained.”

This section describes the ten cities given to the remaining Kohathites, meaning those who were Levites from the same line as Aaron but not descendants of Aaron himself. They did not serve as priests offering sacrifices, but they assisted in the tabernacle ministry by carrying the holy vessels, guarding sacred spaces, and maintaining worship.

Their first city was Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, which was also a city of refuge. This is significant. Shechem is deeply rooted in biblical history. Abraham built an altar there when God first promised the land to his descendants. Jacob buried the foreign idols there after commanding his household to put away strange gods. Joseph’s bones were buried there after Israel entered the land. Now it becomes a sanctuary of mercy for the one who kills unintentionally. God places His Levitical servants at the center of justice, mercy, and reconciliation.

They also received Gezer, Kibzaim, and Beth-horon from Ephraim. Beth-horon is meaningful because it was through this pass that Joshua pursued the Amorite kings when God sent great hailstones upon them. These cities were strategic for defense and travel, showing that God positioned the Levites in spiritually and geographically important locations.

From the tribe of Dan, they were given Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Aijalon, and Gath-rimmon. Aijalon is remembered for Joshua’s command, “Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Aijalon” in Joshua 10. Again God connects His ministers to places where His power had been displayed publicly.

From the half-tribe of Manasseh, they received Tanach and Gath-rimmon, completing the total of ten cities.

These ten cities were not priestly cities but were still set apart for the sacred work of assisting the priests and maintaining the worship of God. This establishes a biblical pattern. God not only appoints spiritual leaders but also provides workers to support the ministry. Both are necessary. Those who served under Aaron carried the holy things, sang psalms, taught the Law, and guarded the sanctuary. Without them, the priests could not fulfill their duties.

This division also emphasizes that God determines the place and calling of every servant. Not all Kohathites could serve as priests, but each had a holy appointment from God. This principle is echoed in 1 Corinthians 12:18, which says, “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.” There is no insignificant role in the service of God when it is assigned by His will.

Joshua 21:27–33 — King James Version (KJV)

“And unto the families of the children of Gershon, of the Levites, out of the other half tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Beeshterah with her suburbs; two cities. And out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishon with her suburbs, Dabareh with her suburbs, Jarmuth with her suburbs, Engannim with her suburbs; four cities. And out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with her suburbs, Abdon with her suburbs, Helkath with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs; four cities. And out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Hammothdor with her suburbs, and Kartan with her suburbs; three cities. All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with their suburbs.”

The descendants of Gershon, one of the sons of Levi, received thirteen cities across the northern portions of Israel. Their role in the tabernacle was essential. They were responsible for transporting and caring for the curtains, coverings, and hangings of the tabernacle. Though they did not serve as priests like the sons of Aaron, their ministry was vital for protecting the holiness and order of worship.

The first city listed is Golan in Bashan, from the half-tribe of Manasseh. This city is also designated as one of the cities of refuge. Golan appears later in Scripture as part of the territory of the kings of Bashan. Being a refuge city, it symbolized both mercy and justice. God placed Levites here to administer His law and ensure that even those who had unintentionally killed someone were protected until their case could be judged fairly. This reflects the character of God, who is both just and merciful.

Along with Golan, they received Beeshterah from the half-tribe of Manasseh. From the tribe of Issachar, they received four cities — Kishon, Dabareh, Jarmuth, and Engannim. Issachar’s territory was fertile and centrally located in the Jezreel Valley, which meant that the Levites ministered in one of Israel’s busiest and most populated regions.

From the tribe of Asher, they were given Mishal, Abdon, Helkath, and Rehob. These cities were near the Mediterranean coast. Asher’s land was affluent but often spiritually weak. God placed Levites there to maintain spiritual truth among a tribe known later for compromise and incomplete obedience.

From the tribe of Naphtali, they received Kedesh in Galilee, another city of refuge, along with Hammothdor and Kartan. Kedesh became an important city in biblical history, known as the home of Barak during the time of Deborah in Judges chapter 4. It was a place of refuge, judgment, and later warfare against Canaanite oppression.

Altogether, the Gershonites received thirteen cities. Their cities were strategically spread across the north. This placement ensured that spiritual instruction, justice, and worship were present from the central plains to the mountains of Galilee and the lands beyond the Jordan.

The scattering of the Levites was intentional. God did not want His Word confined to one location. He placed His servants among the tribes so that every Israelite had access to truth, counsel, sacrifice, and spiritual leadership. This foreshadows how God now places His people throughout every nation. As Matthew 5:14 says, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”

Joshua 21:34–40 — King James Version (KJV)

“And unto the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with her suburbs, and Kartah with her suburbs, Dimnah with her suburbs, Nahalal with her suburbs; four cities. And out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer with her suburbs, and Jahazah with her suburbs, Kedemoth with her suburbs, and Mephaath with her suburbs; four cities. And out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Mahanaim with her suburbs, Heshbon with her suburbs, and Jazer with her suburbs; four cities in all. So all the cities for the children of Merari by their families, which were remaining of the families of the Levites, were by their lot twelve cities.”

The final Levitical division, the Merarites, are now given their inheritance. They were responsible for the heaviest part of the tabernacle service, carrying the boards, pillars, sockets, bars, and structural elements of the tabernacle as described in Numbers 4:29–33. Their work required physical strength and practical skill. Though they did not minister at the altar or enter the holy place, they upheld the physical framework of worship. This reveals that God honors both visible and unseen service in His worship.

The Merarites received twelve cities in total. From the tribe of Zebulun, they received four cities: Jokneam, Kartah, Dimnah, and Nahalal. Zebulun was landlocked between Issachar and Naphtali, and although small in territory, its land was productive. This ensured the Merarites had provision for their needs.

From the tribe of Reuben, east of the Jordan River, they received Bezer, Jahazah, Kedemoth, and Mephaath. Bezer was one of the cities of refuge, showing again how God placed the Levites in places where justice, mercy, and instruction were needed most. Reuben’s land was pastoral and open, ideal for livestock but often spiritually unstable, as seen in Reuben’s history. Therefore, spiritual oversight was necessary.

From the tribe of Gad, which was also east of the Jordan, they received Ramoth in Gilead, another city of refuge, along with Mahanaim, Heshbon, and Jazer. These were well-known cities. Ramoth in Gilead appears repeatedly in Scripture as a place of battle and judgment. Mahanaim is where Jacob saw the angels of God in Genesis 32:1–2, naming it Mahanaim meaning “two camps.” It later became a refuge for King David when Absalom rebelled. Heshbon had formerly been the capital city of King Sihon of the Amorites. Jazer was a city known for its vineyards and fertile land.

These twelve cities placed the Merarites both west and east of the Jordan, ensuring that worship and spiritual guidance were present not only in Canaan proper but also in the Transjordan tribes. This reflects God’s heart to shepherd even those who settled further from the sanctuary.

Altogether, this shows that no part of the land was exempt from God’s law or God’s presence. Every tribe, whether near the tabernacle or distant, had Levites among them to teach, counsel, judge, and carry out the things of God.

This also teaches a vital spiritual truth. The tabernacle could not stand without the Merarites. Their job was not glamorous, but it was essential. Likewise, in the body of Christ, not every believer preaches or teaches, but all have a role. 1 Corinthians 12:22 says, “Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary.” Faithfulness in any God-given task brings honor to Him.

Joshua 21:41–42 — King James Version (KJV)

“All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs. These cities were every one with their suburbs round about them: thus were all these cities.”

The inspired text now summarizes the Levitical allotment. In total, the Levites received forty-eight cities, each with its surrounding “suburbs,” meaning pasturelands or common-fields for livestock. These cities were spread across the territories of every tribe of Israel, fulfilling God’s precise instruction found earlier in Numbers 35:7, “So all the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall ye give with their suburbs.”

These cities were not clustered into a single province or independent territory, but were strategically distributed throughout the nation. This reveals the wisdom of God’s design. He never intended for the Levites to isolate themselves, but to live among the people, teaching the Law, preserving worship, offering counsel, leading music, and maintaining the tabernacle service. This structure ensured that every tribe of Israel had access to spiritual truth. There was never to be a tribe without a direct Levitical witness in its midst.

Each city also contained land immediately around its walls to sustain the Levites’ flocks and families. Though the Levites had no tribal territory of their own, God provided for their daily needs through this pastureland. This shows how God supplies for His ministers without giving them earthly dominion. Their inheritance was God Himself, yet He still ensured that they would not lack food, shelter, or provision.

This arrangement demonstrates balance in God’s economy. The tribes gave up territory, but gained spiritual leadership. The Levites gave up land inheritance, but received the privilege of serving in the presence of God. This reflects the principle later taught in 1 Corinthians 9:13–14, “Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple… Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.”

The forty-eight cities also included six cities of refuge, reminding Israel continually of the seriousness of bloodshed and the mercy of God toward unintentional offenders. In these cities, the Levites upheld justice while pointing ahead to Christ, the ultimate refuge for sinners. Hebrews 6:18 says, “That we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.”

The phrase, “thus were all these cities,” emphasizes completion and obedience. Israel did as Moses commanded. Joshua ensured every instruction was followed. God’s word was not partially obeyed, but fully implemented.

B. Israel Takes Full Possession of the Land

1. (Joshua 21:43) — Scripture (KJV)

“And the Lord gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.”

This verse marks the fulfillment of a promise God first gave to Abraham, confirmed to Isaac, and then to Jacob. The Lord Himself is credited with the victory and the possession of the land. It does not say Israel gained the land by their own strength, but that “the Lord gave unto Israel all the land.” This emphasizes the sovereign faithfulness of God. What He promises, He performs. What He swore to their fathers in Genesis 12:7, “Unto thy seed will I give this land,” has now come to pass. Centuries may have passed, nations may have risen and fallen, but the Word of God stands unchanged.

The verse adds, “and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.” This shows that Israel not only received the land as a grant from God but also entered into it and made it their home. God gave it, but Israel still had to take possession. The Lord did not hand them houses already built in every city or fields already cleared in every region. They still had to drive out remaining enemies and establish their families within each allotted inheritance. The gift was granted, but effort, obedience, and perseverance were still required to fully experience what God had given.

This is a picture of the Christian life. God has blessed believers “with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3), yet many never walk into the fullness of those blessings. The land is given, but they must take possession by faith, obedience, and spiritual warfare. God had already provided everything necessary for Israel to conquer each portion of their inheritance; they simply needed to walk forward and claim what was theirs by promise.

This verse also testifies to the integrity of God. Not one promise failed. What He swore with an oath to Abraham in Genesis 15:18, repeated to Isaac in Genesis 26:3, and to Jacob in Genesis 28:13, has now been historically fulfilled. Joshua’s leadership was faithful because it was grounded in God’s faithfulness. The land was not earned, it was inherited. The covenant was not merited, it was granted by grace.

Though enemies still dwelt in parts of the land, and though Israel would later fail to completely obey God in driving them out, the legal transfer of the land was done. God had given it, Israel had taken possession, and they dwelt in it. From this point forward, any failure to fully enjoy the land was not God’s failure to give but Israel’s failure to continue in obedience.

2. (Joshua 21:44) The Rest in the Land Is Israel’s, Given by God

Scripture (KJV)

“And the Lord gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand.”

The Lord did not only give Israel the land, He also gave them rest within it. This rest was not merely the absence of war, but the presence of security, stability, and the fulfillment of covenant promise. The text says, “the Lord gave them rest round about,” showing that their peace came not from military strength nor political alliances, but from the direct intervention of God. This rest fulfilled promises spoken to Abraham in Genesis 15:18–21, to Isaac in Genesis 26:3, and to Jacob in Genesis 28:13–15. God swore that He would give their descendants this land and bring them into peace within it, and here that oath is fulfilled.

It also says, “there stood not a man of all their enemies before them.” This does not mean every enemy was annihilated, but rather, no army was able to withstand Israel in battle. Every time Israel trusted and obeyed, God delivered their enemies into their hand. Victory was not because of Joshua’s skill or Israel’s strength, but because the Lord fought for His people. This echoes what was earlier declared in Joshua 10:14, “for the Lord fought for Israel.”

The rest God provided also marked a transition in how Israel observed worship. During the Exodus, God commanded them to eat the Passover in haste, with their loins girded, shoes on their feet, and staff in hand, ready to depart at any moment. But now, as John later describes at the Last Supper, the disciples reclined at the table, a symbol of rest. God had brought His people from slavery, through wilderness, into inheritance, and now into rest. This rest foreshadows the spiritual rest offered in Christ, who said in Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

3. (Joshua 21:45) Not One Word of God Fails

Scripture (KJV)

“There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.”

This verse stands as a declaration of God’s absolute faithfulness. Not one promise failed. The Lord kept every word He spoke concerning the land, the conquest, and the inheritance. This is the same God who cannot lie and whose Word is sure forever. What He promises, He performs. Moses declared in Numbers 23:19, “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it?”

It is important to note the difference between God’s faithfulness and Israel’s obedience. God fulfilled every promise. He made full provision for victory, for inheritance, and for continued blessing. But Israel did not fully drive out all the inhabitants of the land, not because God failed, but because they failed to fully follow the Lord. This reminds us that divine promise does not remove human responsibility. God gives, but His people must take hold by faith and obedience.

The phrase, “all came to pass,” also confronts unbelief in every generation. God has been completely faithful, yet many believers live as though His promises are uncertain. The Cross has secured full victory, yet sin, fear, and compromise often remain because the believer does not take possession of what God has already given. Satan has no legal right to dwell in the life of a child of God, yet many allow him a place through unbelief or disobedience. Christ has conquered death and hell, yet many live as spiritual slaves though they are legally free.

This truth presses a personal question: God has given, but what have you possessed? He has promised victory, yet do you walk in it? He has given spiritual rest, yet do you live in His peace? The promises stand firm, but they must be embraced.