The fruit of the
land
"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 "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 the desert like the garden of the Lord.
Man did eat angel's food of old, and why not now? O
for grace to feed on Jesus, and go to eat fruit of the land of Canaan this
year!
C. H. Spurgeon
