Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We have so much earthly wealth in this nation of ours; we have been so blessed. But as I thought over all the things I am thankful for, I realized that when it comes down to it, the most precious things of all are not the earthly things made with human hands or the fleeting pleasures of this world, but the things that are not of this world: my JESUS who gave up all for me and for every human being, the SALVATION that comes from belief in Him, the HOPE and JOY that He brings, the HEARTS of my family and friends whom I love, and the list goes on. But today I would like to look into one more very important thing that I am thankful for: THE PROMISED LAND.
By amazing power and wondrous miracles my God has freed me from the yoke of bondage and brought me out by His mighty hand. He went before me through the wilderness all the way, raining down angel's fare from heaven, providing water of life from the Rock, and showing His wonder in a thousand ways. My shoes did not wear out, for He carried me all the way, and when we had come to the river's edge He set me down to make a choice. I could hear Him declaring that the Land before me was mine for the taking, and that I therefore should go up and posses it and not fear, for He was with me and would fight for me.
The
majority of men with me turned their eyes on the giants in the Land,and looking at the mighty
Amalekites, forgot their GOD and cowered in fear
. But Caleb and Joshua looked up into the face of their mighty SAVIOR and said, "Do not fear, God is with us!" And when I looked up, I too saw my beautiful SAVIOR, bidding me to choose LIFE.
So with the minority, I took the step of faith into the water's edge. We were not bearing the coffin of some god, but the VERY PRESENCE OF THE LIVING GOD! And with that tiny step, the giant, overflowing waters of the Jordan were piled up on either side as we walked into PROMISED LAND.
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I wrote a poem the other day and I would like to share it with you. Though I really like poetry, I never write it, so this is pretty odd.It is not much, but it tells a lot about what I have been learning recently....which brings me to another thing I am thankful for... GOD's WORD is so amazing, it goes ever deeper and deeper and never, ever runs dry.I am only beginning to scratch the surface of its wonders. Thank God for His Word!!!
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My life began with Egypt's load,
And early I was wrapped in chains.
Twixt heart and hand was no long road,
And that was spilling from the stains.
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How shiny were the pleasures there, Where truth is crushed and darkness prized!
For life was fun, without a care!
In ignorance my birthright I despised.
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Then came the load and heavy hand
Pressing down, for slave was I.
Hope was buried 'neath the sand
And surely no one heard my cry.
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How then miraculous freedom cameThrough spotless Lamb and poured out blood!
Escape from death and terror's reign!
I walked, I sang, protected through the flood.
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Now pow'r was great, and hope was bright.
I walked with God; He led the way
Through cloud by day and fire by night
His faithfulness was e'er displayed.
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Here to sorrow my tale could turn
Like Israel so long ago.
To disobey and fail to learn
Humility at what the law had shown.
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Failing love to God steadfastly;
Failing faith to cast out leaven.
Longing for some food of fancy;
Hating precious bread from heaven.
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But no! GOD'S WORD now teaches me
Through wand'ring Israels mistake.
And here in Kadesh land I see
Before me is a choice that I must make.
Though Anak's kin would bring dismayAnd keep me from the Life beyond,
I will not fear! God parts the way!
His Spirit will not lead me wrong.
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So here on Jordan's edge I stand.
I'll take the step, by God Almighty.
And enter in the Promised Land
Which overflows with sweetest milk and honey.
(Ten verses times four lines makes 40, which is the correct number to describe this poem!)
And though the Promised Land is still full of Amalekites (for surely Flesh seems way too tall and giant to overcome),they will not stand when we,like David,take up our swords and obey the Lord to destroy them. For every inch of ground upon which we set our feet is ours by faith, for the battle belongs to the Lord and victory is ours through Jesus. Let us therefore enter the Land!
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