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| God's Word is our map to the Promised Land! |
The Word of God is full of promises. Some promises are meant
for the Hebrew nation of Israel while others are meant for the spiritual
offspring of Abraham. One inheritance meant for both is an abundant life in the
Promise Land.
In the Bible we learn that God had designated a specific territory
for His chosen people the Israelites. This promised property is where God
Almighty did dwell among man in the midst of a people He purposed to be a holy nation.
The Israelites were meant to be God’s light in a dark world filled with sin and
its painful and deadly consequences: A beacon of hope that would draw others to
the warmth of God’s love and provision. Under the care and protection of
Yahweh, the tribes of Israel took possession of the Promised Land and received
the blessings of abiding in the presence of God. Though they first stumbled in
the desert with unbelief delaying their inheritance, life was rich as cream and
sweet as honey for Jacobs offspring past the Jordan. At least life was blessed from time to time in
the Promised Land.
The covenant promise made between God and his servant
Abraham was established with conditions that Israel must obey to possess the
blessings of the land. God’s laws required the nation to worship no other but
the Lord Almighty. The One True God was their provider and protector; they were
to seek only His favor while serving one another in love. They were commanded to live set apart from the
people of other nations who worshiped false gods, lived immorally and pursued
every kind of wickedness: The Chosen People were to be holy as God is holy. Had
Israel obeyed the Words given them by God, they would still be living abundantly
in the Promised Land today. Tragically, they broke the laws of the Covenant
again and again until more than territory was lost in Israel’s failure to abide
in God’s word, the Lord’s blessing was also lost for a time.
Author and Speaker Beth Moore, encourages the Church with
the truth that this side of the cross, New Testament Believers in Jesus Christ
have their own Promise Land to enter and possess. While the Christian’s Promise
Land is a spiritual territory to abide in it remains as real as the Holy Land
of Israel. Likewise possession of the blessings inherent to the land, are subject
to belief and obedience of its occupants.
Gaining access to the gift of grace and eternal life through
Jesus is simply gained through sincere repentance and a prayer of acceptance. However possessing the Believer’s Promise
Land takes battle. Just as the Israelites of old had to step into deep waters,
shout in the name of Yahweh and draw their swords to take hold of their
inheritance, so too must Christians fight the good fight to live abundantly in
Christ.
Jesus said “It is written:
‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word which comes from
the mouth of God,” (Matthew 4:4NIV)
I believe one principal of this truth is connected to Jesus’
title The Bread of Life. For through Christ we partake of His body--the bread--sacrificed
for our sin and we gain eternal life. However, many Christians have long lives
to live beyond their salvation experience. I hear in Jesus’ words, “but by
every word which comes from the mouth of God,” that importance is equally
placed on digesting also the truths and life principles God has commanded us to
live by in His Word. The abundant life is connected to the balanced diet of
both Christ crucified and resurrected life in obedience to the Word of God.
Jesus also said, “I have come that they may have life, and
have it to the full.” (John 10:10 NIV )
The Lord does not desire that we would merely hang on to our
eternal salvation and live battered and broken while we wait for His return or
our passing. Instead, Jesus desires we live victorious and blessed in a
spiritual place of peace, joy, contentment, harmony, love, truth and purpose. These
fruits of abiding in God’s Promise Land are not dependant on perfect
circumstance. Even when fires of tests and trials rage and threaten
destruction, we can trust the power of the Living Water is available for us to
extinguish any threat.
Thereby the Word of God is critical to our possessing and abiding
in the wonderful Promised Land of blessings. Beth reminds us that to believe
God is to know he desires to bless our lives. Reading the Word, processing its
truth, holding our own lives up to it as a mirror and discussing it openly with
God will guide you to your Promise Land. With every step you will draw nearer
to the heart of God where every Believer is destined to abide in a land flowing
with milk and honey: a place of abundant provision, peace and beautiful.
Oh Father, help us with our unbelief!
Tracy L. Frazier
Director/Founder of The FOLD: Fellowship Opportunity for
Ladies Discipleship
Video: Beth Moore – Believing God (:23:00 – :31:22);
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_PZeql7xIc
Music Video: John Waller – While I’m Waiting;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6X71sXagUY
Scripture John 15:1-11NIV; 11NIV “If you remain in me and my
words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear
much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me,
so have I loved you. Now remain in my
love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have
obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.”
