The Picture of Victory

The leadership of Joshua as he led the Israelites out of the wilderness and across the Jordan River into the Promised Land is a great picture of God’s desire for each one of us as Christians. In my view, the Jordan River doesn’t represent death and heaven as some describe it but rather leaving behind a life of wandering and aimlessness and pressing forward into a trusting relationship with God that rests upon His promises and enjoys His peace and victory in life.

In the Old Testament example, those that wholly followed the Lord entered in to the promised land. In the same way, the New Testament Christian is challenged to enter into God’s rest.

Consider Hebrews 4:6ff “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.”

Think about what this is saying. God is offering a rest. He says, “There is a rest.” And He said that the person who has entered God’s rest has ceased from his works just as God has from His. This promise comes right on the heels of discussing the disobedience of the Israelites. I take this to mean that this life of rest and trust is the reality that the Promised Land pictures.

More on this next time.