Have You Missed The Promised Land?

In the book of Exodus, the Israelites are freed from Egypt and set out across the desert to the land Egypt and the wilderness, they focused on the humanly impossible situation before them. As a result, they had to wander another 40 years in the wilderness until everyone of that generation of fear had passed away. They missed the Promised Land because they were not willing to trust God and go through the difficulty required to obtain it. God had promised to them, a good, productive land. When they arrived, there were giants inhabiting the land already that the Israelites would have to drive out. Instead of remembering all the mighty wonders God had performed in

How often do we do that? How often do we miss some blessing because we are not willing to go through the work to get it?

That happens in many areas of life; the hard work required for a promotion, the effort of planting, watering and weeding to produce a good garden, the hours to sit in a boat patiently waiting for that first bite. Every hobby requires work to gain the proficiency of a good finished product. Every sport requires the hard work and training to gain the skill to perform well. Every job requires the dedication to gain a retirement at the end. Giving up before the end would mean missing out on that end goal, that blessing.

Many things in life require that. Raising children is difficult especially in the early years, but if we are to have well behaved, well mannered children, we have to withstand the trials of training them. Some people abandon their children in order to forgo that difficulty. Others merely ignore their children as much as they can so it is as little of a bother as possible. In both cases, the parents miss out on the blessing of good, honoring children because they were not willing to go through the trouble of training their children.

How often do we give up too early in other, less material, areas? Many marriages end because one or both partners are not willing to work through the rough years to get to the good. They give up on their spouse and God’s ability to work in their marriage. Many people remain in addiction because they are not willing to see the withdrawals through to victory. Many people give in to temptation because they are not willing to have the self control to resist to the end.

It is often the most difficult right before the end, darkest before dawn. We need the diligence and faithfulness to see it through, to gain that Promised Land. Don’t miss out on the blessing because you gave up too soon. Trust in the All-Faithful, and ask Him to give you the strength and faithfulness to see it through. Stay strong and true to God and His ways.

Romans 5:3-5 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.