“They ate the food of the land of Canaan that year” (Joshua 5:12)

After 40 years of “wandering in the wilderness”, Israel finally inherited the Promised Land. This glorious event has been compared to going to heaven throughout Christian history. “Going over Jordan”, “crossing the river” and “Beulah Land” are familiar ways of saying you died and entered God’s eternal rest. 

 Perhaps this year, you will “pass over”. If you know the Savior and your faith is living, you’ll look forward to the Blessed Hope with delight. If you don’t know Christ and your faith is dead, the waters of the Jordan will fill you with dread. Christ came to “destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:14-15). This is a good time to consider your eternal destiny. If you’re still wandering in the wilderness, "today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion" (Hebrews 3:15). 

 Those who have the assurance of salvation have nothing to fear. They’ve already experienced the worst the world has to offer. As they approach the River, they know each step will be matched by more than ten thousand years of bliss on the other side. If God doesn’t take you this year, you can still rejoice in Christ, for the Holy Spirit is the earnest of your inheritance, and you can be “strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man” (Ephesians 3:16). 

 In heaven they’re secure, but we’re also safe in Christ on Earth; there they triumph over their enemies, but we have victories too. Heavenly spirits commune with their Lord, but we are also one spirit with God; while they completely rest in His love, we can still have perfect peace when our minds are focused on Him; while they continually sing His praises, we can still thank Him in all things. This year gather Heavenly fruits on earthly ground, where faith and hope can make the desert seem like the Garden of the Lord. Man ate heavenly food in the wilderness, why not now? But oh for the grace to eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan this year!