Entering the Promised Land

Read Psalm 97

Read Joshua 3

God has made a promise. He will not take it back. He is finally now bringing the people to the Promised Land of Canaan.

The people have heard the word. Joshua orders a command, and the priests believe and obey. They carry the ark into the water, and the Jordan stops flowing and is divided. they cross over on dry ground, opposite Jericho.

Our gracious God has made a promise to us too. He will not take it back. He has promised us forgiveness, life and salvation through his Son, Jesus Christ.

We have heard this good word of forgiveness. We believe, and we eagerly also obey all of God's commands - not perfectly, but by the power of the Spirit, we do. The way through death to heaven and everlasting life has been opened up. Death has been divided. That Way is Jesus.

This isn't the end of the story for Israel. No, they do not yet have perfect and complete rest. They must conquer the enemy, settle in the promised land, so that the Messiah could be born there, live there, die there, and fulfill the purpose of the land.

Our earthly story isn't over either. We continue to fight the good fight of faith, battle against the devil and all his works and ways. We continue to "hate evil" as our psalm today encourages us.

But someday, thanks to Jesus, we will cross over Jordan to our resting place. And we won't cross over death to face Jericho. We'll cross over to enter our rest, and ultimately, the New Jerusalem.

What a precious gift! How can I not rejoice and cherish it always? How can I not share this Good News?!

Pray:

Jesus, lead Thou on
Till our rest is won;
And although the way be cheerless,
We will follow calm and fearless.
Guide us by Thy hand
To our fatherland.

If the way be drear,
If the foe be near,
Let not faithless fears o'ertake us;
Let not faith and hope forsake us;
For through many_a woe
To our home we go.

When we seek relief
From a long-felt grief,
When temptations come alluring,
Make us patient and enduring.
Show us that bright shore
Where we weep no more.

Jesus, lead Thou on
Till our rest is won.
Heav'nly leader, still direct us,
Still support, console, protect us,
Till we safely stand
In our fatherland.

(LSB 718, Public Domain)

Study with me tomorrow,

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!