Joshua 5:12

“They did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.” 
              — Joshua 5:12

Israel’s weary wanderings were all over, and the promised rest was
attained. No more moving tents, fiery serpents, fierce Amalekites, and
howling wildernesses: they came to the land which flowed with milk and
honey, and they ate the old corn of the land. Perhaps this year,
beloved Christian reader, this may be thy case or mine. Joyful is the
prospect, and if faith be in active exercise, it will yield unalloyed
delight. To be with Jesus in the rest which remaineth for the people of
God, is a cheering hope indeed, and to expect this glory so soon is a
double bliss. Unbelief shudders at the Jordan which still rolls between
us and the goodly land, but let us rest assured that we have already
experienced more ills than death at its worst can cause us. Let us
banish every fearful thought, and rejoice with exceeding great joy, in
the prospect that this year we shall begin to be “for ever with the
Lord.”

A part of the host will this year tarry on earth, to do service for
their Lord. If this should fall to our lot, there is no reason why the
New Year’s text should not still be true. “We who have believed do
enter into rest.” The Holy Spirit is the earnest of our inheritance; he
gives us “glory begun below.” In heaven they are secure, and so are we
preserve in Christ Jesus; there they triumph over their enemies, and we
have victories too. Celestial spirits enjoy communion with their Lord,
and this is not denied to us; they rest in his love, and we have
perfect peace in him: they hymn his praise, and it is our privilege to
bless him too. We will this year gather celestial fruits on earthly
ground, where faith and hope have made the desert like the garden of
the Lord. Man did eat angels’ food of old, and why not now? O for grace
to feed on Jesus, and so to eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan this
year!

On this day…

• John 1 – 2024
• Luke 15 – 2024
• Esther 9 – 2023
• Esther 8 – 2023
• The day will come when lost man will no longer be loved by God Almighty – 2015
• the hatred of the Holy Ghost all that is not in keeping with God’s holiness – 2014
• the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses me from all sin so that God Almighty can see nothing to censure in me – 2014
• the impartation of His absolute perfection – 2014
• thank God for what grace you have; praise him for that degree of holy confidence whereunto you have attained – 2014
• Faith increases in solidity, assurance, and intensity, the more it is exercised with tribulation – 2014