It is never easy to step into the unknown. For the very reason that you do not know what will lie ahead of you. There are really only two options when you are faced with the unknown. You either step in and trust God to guide you safely. Or you refuse to go any further and never see what was waiting for you on the other side. In scripture, we see both of these options played out. When two generations of Israelites take on crossing into the promised land.
The first time the Israelites stood at the edge of the promised land they were too frightened to step in. Even though God had already performed countless miracles be for them. Throughout the time He had been leading from there bondage in Egypt. They still did not have the faith to trust that the Lord would be able to protect them. Because they refused to enter the promised land God forbid them from ever being able to enter the land.
Numbers 14:22-23 (ESV)
22 none of the men who have seen my glory and my signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have put me to the test these ten times and have not obeyed my voice, 23 shall see the land that I swore to give to their fathers. And none of those who despised me shall see it.
After Moses informed the people they would never be able to enter the land they had a complete change of heart. They hoped to still be able to go in on their own. Even making an attempt to march in. But it was too late the opportunity had passed. They were left only wishing they had trusted the Lord from the beginning.
Numbers 14:40 (ESV)
40 And they rose early in the morning and went up to the heights of the hill country, saying, “Here we are. We will go up to the place that the Lord has promised, for we have sinned.”
Numbers 14:45 (ESV)
45 Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down and defeated them and pursued them, even to Hormah.
Fast forward forty years and the next generation of Israelites are standing at the edge of the promised land. But this time things are different this generation trusts in their God to see them safely into the unknown. God showed up in a mighty way by making a way for them to cross the Jordan river on dry ground. God continued with the people and was the force that caused the wall of Jericho to fall to the ground before His people.
Joshua 3:1 (ESV)
3 Then Joshua rose early in the morning and they set out from Shittim. And they came to the Jordan, he and all the people of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.
Joshua 3:17 (ESV)
17 Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.
Joshua 6:20 (ESV)
20 So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city.
Christians today are all making their way to a Promised Land that will require them to trust God and cross into the unknown. There is the very place that Jesus spoke of when He said He was going to prepare a place for us. A land where pain and suffering no longer exist. Where God’s people will be able to exercise the gift of eternal life they have received.
Revelation 21:4 (ESV)
4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
John 14:3 (ESV)
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
Romans 6:23 (ESV)
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
These are the promises that God has given to those who follow after Him. Sadly as many approaches the unknown that is death they begin to lose faith. No longer trusting in the Lord as they once did. Even though they have already experienced what God is able to do so many times before. All because they are unable to see what lies on the other side of this life.
While we cannot see the other side we must trust what God’s word says. There is life after this one and the best is yet to come. Christians should share the same mindset as the Apostle Paul. Who believed that to die is really to gain.
Philippians 1:21-23 (ESV)
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
Don’t be like the first generation of Israelites and walk safely all the way to the edge of the promised land. Only to lose faith in your savior when it matters most. By doing so you will be passing up on your one and only chance to enter and take possession of the promise you were offered.
Instead, be like the second generation who marched right into the unknown. Not allowing their worries to cloud their judgment. Instead of trusting God with their whole heart to carry them into the unknown safely. They did not allow anything to stop them and neither should we. Rember that no matter how bad things get nothing will separate you from the love of God.
Romans 8:35 (ESV)
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)
38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Rember it was because of God’s love that Jesus came to the earth. In order to bring you to salvation and gift you with eternal life. So when your time comes up and you are standing on the edge of the promised land do not worry. Allow God to carry you safely to the other side.
John 3:16 (ESV)
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
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