June 30

The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; His word was on my tongue. — 2 Sam 23:2 BSB

We read that “no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,” meaning that it belongs to the whole family of God. “Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit,” who worked upon their hearts to produce words that would be relevant and suitable to God’s people across all time. For example, David’s confession of sin in Psalm 51 applies to every soul burdened by sin, and Job’s complaints, though specific to his own experience, resonate with God’s children throughout history.

When the Lord said to Joshua, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you,” it appeared to be a promise meant only for him. Yet the Apostle Paul brings this promise forward as the property of the entire Church: “Let your life be without covetousness, and be content with what you have, for He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Heb. 13:5). “He has said”—to whom? To Joshua. But by saying it to Joshua, God said it to the whole Church. This promise, originally given to Joshua, belongs to every soul that, like Joshua, fears being forsaken and needs God’s sustaining hand. Thus, the promise is not limited to private interpretation but applies to every believer in similar circumstances.