This is the Promised Land?

When Israel left Egypt, Pharaoh's armies chased them immediately. With their backs to the wall of water and no boats, Israel was faced with a fight. But God intervened on their behalf and fought for them. Pharaoh was utterly destroyed.

Exo 14:14 MKJV
(14) Jehovah shall fight for you, and you shall be silent.

Exo 13:17 MKJV
(17) And it happened, when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines although that was near. For God said, Lest the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt.

I've wondered why God did not take the people the way of the land of the Philistines and simply destroy the Philistines from before them. The answer is that a new partnership emerged from the sea. A co-laboring, if you will. When coming out of the sea (being 'born again' from it) what God expected from His people changed, slightly. They were now free, in the physical sense, and their stake in the journey increased.

Israel was in the desert for 40 years. It was a time when God sheltered them, but He expected them to stand firm and watch His salvation. It was a time of learning faith. Some did, many did not. But finally after an entire generation passed, it was time to step into the Promised Land! Surely the cakewalk begins here!

Or not...

The very first thing that Israel was faced with was Jericho. Granted, it wasn't as easy as dealing with Pharaoh because there was some walking and horn blowing involved. However, Jericho was just the first of many battles Israel had to endure - all inside their Promised Land! In fact, the warring didn't really start until Israel stepped into their promise. This is the progression - the nature of the partnership between the Father and His sons.

As we become more and more like Him, He will also expect us to step in and fight for others 'who would turn and run back to Egypt'.

Manna, It's Not Just For Breakfast Anymore

In the time of Moses, the people of Israel were freed from the bondage of slavery in Egypt. In their transition to the Promised Land, they took an unintended camping trip in the desert that lasted for 40 'extra' years. During this time, God provided their every need. Part of that provision was manna, the bread from heaven. The Israelites collected it every morning - enough for only that day or at most, two days, to last through the Sabbath.

We have all heard many messages about manna, the goodness of God, and how we should strive to 'gather' Him each morning, because He is enough. Truly - He is.

I'd like to share a different angle. The manna that was given was given to a people who were largely rebellious at the time. They didn't understand gratitude or worship. They didn't like the manna they were given, but they collected it or went hungry. Manna was not for a Promised Land people. The best of the land, on the other hand, was.

I sure would like to try some manna. My guess is that I would like it. My other guess is that I'd be sick of it by the end of two weeks. I can't even eat leftovers very often. Sad... yes. But then again, I'm not a desert dweller. I'm a Promised Land guy. Doing my best to not complain, but to host the Spirit of God, He has not made me gather 'just enough' manna for today in... maybe forever. The Promised Land is Kingdom living... and it's a life of excess. My cup overflows.

Adam and Eve got up in the garden every morning and did what? Did they immediately seek out God in hopes of getting their fill for the day? Or did they go about their business, KNOWING that at some point during the day, they were going to have a God-Encounter! Which way would you rather live? Remember, the Kingdom life is a life of restoration - on earth as it is in Heaven. God is not coming back to restore 'just enough' for today. He is coming back to restore all of Him you want - all the time. I'm not knocking manna-gathering... but there is more if you want it, assuming you aren't wandering around in the desert.

From Not Knowing... To Knowing

Have you ever done something that was risky - and you knew it? Of course! We all take chances from time to time. Sometimes it's an ordinary thing like jumping off a diving board. Do you remember the first time you did it? It seemed SO high! If you were little, you might have been terrified. But by the 20th or 30th time, it didn't seem so bad. In fact, fear had turned into fun.

That's an example of what it's like to have a fear of the unknown and to overcome it.

There is a part of the Christian walk that is similar. In fact, many would say that a Christian walk without risk-taking is an impotent venture. It lacks power. It's... dead. Faith without works... right?

But we reach a point where reaching out and sharing the Gospel of Jesus is no longer terrifying. Perhaps it becomes (as it should) second nature. Maybe even fun! I'm just using this as an example. What would scripture say about it?

Jos 5:12 MKJV
(12) And the manna stopped on the next day after they had eaten the old grain of the land. And there was no more manna to the sons of Israel, but they ate the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.

Joshua was no longer in the desert. He and the Israelites were now in the Promised Land. Where had they been? They had been in a situation where they could not rely upon their wealth to get them through tomorrow. They had ONLY ENOUGH FOR TODAY! They had to rely upon God to send manna. Manna... remember, means 'what is it'.

Then comes Jericho and the Promised Land. Promised Land living affords us some security we did not have in the desert. With that security comes a responsibility. Now we can save enough food for today and tomorrow and maybe the next day. We can accumulate wealth. The manna stops. The 'what is it' goes away, meaning, there isn't a question about tomorrow any longer. It's a land of plenty. But do we forget God? Does the blessing of today distract us from He who gave it?

Even if the manna stops in the physical, we have a responsibility to continue gathering and consuming Manna in the spirit.

A good question that I heard a rabbi ask is this: Do I have what it takes to go beyond the next ten minutes - alone? I'm a sheep who has wealth. I have enough grass to last me for right now - and I have a Shepherd.