Promise

 You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain, the place, O Lord , which you have made for your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established.

Exodus 15:17 ESV


I'm sure that having made it past the Red Sea and Pharoah's superpowerful army, Moses and the Israelites sang this verse with confidence. Maybe they thought their trek through the desert was going to be a walk in the park. Sadly, it wasn't going to be external enemies that would hold them back, but their own internal rebellious grumbling. 


The Israelites ended up being sentenced to forty years in the wilderness, where the vast majority of them perished. Even Moses would only make it to the edge of the promised land. But eventually, Israel would make it to the promised land. The promise of this verse was fulfilled.


There's a similar promise in the new testament for God's people of faith, whether Jew or Gentile. He who began a good work in us will carry it through to completion on the day of Christ Jesus. He's not going to give up on us half way through. We might face forty or more years of trials and temptations, persecutions and pandemic, but we will make it to the new creation.


The promise for the Israelites was a promised land in the here and now. The promise for God's people today is a promised new creation in the hereafter. It will take a lifetime to get there, and an eternity to enjoy.


'Heavenly Father, we're excited for the fulfilment of the promise of a new heavens and earth. In the meantime, please help us be faithful to You, whatever life throws at us. For Your glory, amen'

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