Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said:
“Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts. ”For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Hebrews 4:6-10
The Lord fulfilled his promise by giving Israelites the Promised Land. They entered God’s rest according to Joshua 21:44. Joshua exhorted them to follow the Lord and to obey His commandments. However, the book of Judges reveals that Israel fell away repeatedly after they inhabited the Promised Land. The Promised Land did not give them a true rest for their souls and as a result did not give them rest with God nor with the surrounding nations.
God’s promises are not a destination to be reached. It is not reaching the destination that fulfills God’s promise in one’s life, but it is an internal attitude of faith and trust that gives us rest and assurance in the promises of God.
What are we holding on to as a promise from God? Has that promise been a blessing in our lives? Have we seen God’s hand bringing it into fruition in our lives? Has the promise brought peace and rest to our souls? Has the promise increased our capacity to love others better? On the contrary, has God’s promise turned into a curse because of us mishandling it? Have we grown bitter, impatient, or envious because the promise hasn’t been fulfilled? Have we developed a hardened heart by losing compassion for others? Do we have a sense of entitlement with God’s promises that makes us feel superior to others? Have we caused division in the church because we haven’t gotten our way?
Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15
At the end of the Age, our work will have to pass through the fire of God. Anything that is made of wood, hay, and straw will not make it to the other side. Only the things that are made of gold and silver will be able to go through the fire. We need to ensure we are majoring in eternal things, and we are not fussing over things that in a year or in fifty years won’t matter.
Some of us will sadly be surprised by the things that took up so much of our affection and attention but didn’t make it to the other side. Some are looking to have the bigger house. Others want their kids to go to prestigious schools. Some desire promotions. Others are looking to write a Best seller book, and the list goes on. We may feel those are the things God has promised to us, but the question is: What are we going to do to get them? If we lose our peace, unity with others, friendship with those we care about, or develop hatred towards some, no Promised Land will deliver what we expected. None of those things are going to matter in eternity.
Canaan is not a goal to be reached, but it is a transformation process on the journey to reaching Canaan. Because of unbelief a generation of Israelites didn’t even make it to Canaan. Others reached Canaan but soon found themselves in the same predicament as their forefathers, fearful, rebellious, and insecure about their future. While reaching Canaan was a great victory, they only enjoyed it for a short time. On the other hand, Joshua and Caleb believed God; they enjoyed God and grew in Him in the midst of the desert while everyone in their generation died in their unbelief and discontentment. Joshua and Caleb were ready when God was finally ready to take them into Promised Land. Their readiness was a spiritual strength and stamina they had gained over the years as they trusted God and walked with Him.
In His mercy, God gives us promises and destinations to help us stay focused on Him and not get derailed, but they are never intended to become the main priority in our walk with Christ. He still cares about our character more than our destination. He still cares about us loving Him and loving our neighbors more than anything we can accomplish for Him. He delights to give us His peace and rest. He is not impressed by the applause of man, but He desires for us to have the applause of heaven.
Let’s listen to the Lord today and allow Him to make the necessary adjustments in our hearts, minds, and priorities. We need Him to soften our hearts, so we can receive from Him the true rest He desires to give us on our journey to Canaan!!