“…now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you…There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Joshua 1:2-8
God told Joshua and the Israelites to ARISE. To GO. Where? To the LAND that HE – God – GIVES the people. Will anyone be able to stand against them? NO. Will God be with them? YES. Will He leave or forsake them if they follow these instructions? NO. Should they be strong and courageous? YES. How so? They need to DO the law. Part of it? NO. All. What should they speak and meditate on? THE LAW. How often? CONTINUALLY. Why? So they will PROSPER and SUCCEED. So they will not veer off course. So they will stay focused on God and His will. So they will receive His promises. So they will possess the land.
The promised land for us is a relationship with God now and forever in heaven for those who turn from their sins, believe in Christ as Lord, and devote themselves fully to Christ. The promised land is also God’s promises in His Word and the plans and purpose He has for each of us.
But some of us refuse to arise. Some arise but refuse to go. Some arise and go but go the wrong way. Some arise and go and start off in the right direction but get off course. Some arise and go and try to possess land that is not the land God promised us but is what we want instead. Some expect God to be with us, to never leave nor forsake us, and to help us prosper and succeed but refuse to love and obey Him. Some live in open rebellion toward God, not believing in Him or professing to believe in Him but not living for Him, while foolishly and wrongfully expecting Him to be with us and prosper us. There is no greater land, prosperity, and success than knowing, experiencing, and being in fellowship with God through Christ forever! Are you being convicted? Are you living in obedience to Him? The promised land is for those who faithfully believe in and follow Christ!