… Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. Joshua 1:2-3

Moses was dead. About one million Israelites were at the Jordan River looking at the land God had promised them.

Forty years earlier, their parents had been there. Moses sent 12 Israelites into the land to learn about the land. The spies described the land as flowing with milk and honey. They brought back a single cluster of grapes that two men had to carry on a pole. This Promised Land was filled with abundance. There was one problem: giants lived in the land. Ten of the spies said that the Israelites should not enter the land. Caleb and Joshua urged the people to go into the land, claiming that they could take it. They refused. They wandered in the wilderness until that generation except Joshua and Caleb died.

God chose Joshua to lead this new generation into the Promised Land.

God’s promise: “Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you.” Joshua was to step out in faith and start walking. God would do the rest.

Israel’s step of faith: Joshua told the Israelites about the spies’ experience years earlier, and Israel agreed to go into the land to possess it. They journeyed three days to the Jordan River. At the edge of the Jordan, the priests took up the ark of the covenant and stepped into the water. The waters rose up “in a heap,” and receded. The priests then stood on dry ground as the Israelites walked to the other side of the Jordan.

Twelve men then took stones from the middle of the river bed to create a memorial to remind the Israelites that God parted the Jordan River for them to cross over into the Promised Land.

The Promised Land was a picture of God reigning in the lives of the Israelites.

Your Kingdom Come

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:15

Before Jesus, Israel recognized God as their Sovereign King. Although they turned from God, He always brought them back.

In the days of Jesus, Israel was looking for a Messiah who would save the people from the tyranny of the Roman rule and establish His kingdom on earth.

Jesus came to them declaring that the Kingdom of God was at hand. Yet, He described the Kingdom of God differently.

He described the kingdom in terms of eternal life, knowing God (John 17:3). This life enfolds a kingdom filled with the majesty and glory of God, a kingdom not of this world. This kingdom can be yours.

Jesus told Nicodemus, a Pharisee who came to Him at night, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

When we pray “Your kingdom come,” we are praying that God will reign in our lives, in our families, in our churches, in our cities, and in our nation.

Promised Kingdom

God has promised His children His kingdom. It comes at a great price. God is holy and cannot look upon sin (doing things that are wrong in God’s eyes). All men and women have sinned and come short of God’s commandments. The price of that sin is death. Only a man who has not sinned can pay for that debt, and there was only one Man who never sinned, Jesus. God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, to enter the womb of a peasant girl, walk this earth, teach men and women about God’s kingdom, health the sick, raise the dead, touch the leper, give sight to the blind, and hearing to the deaf. Jesus was horrifically beaten and nailed to the cross. And the greater horror is that He took on the sins of the world … the sins of the past, the present, and the future. He paid the price of your sins and my sins. But that’s not all. Jesus conquered death!

Jesus rose from the dead and sits at the right hand of God praying for you and me.

Why? Because He loves us and wants to spend eternity with us.

When we decide to stop sinning, ask God to forgive us of our sins, and accept His rule in our lives, we will enter this wonderful kingdom. God will even give us a down payment by sending the Holy Spirit to live in us, to convict us when we sin, to teach us, and to guide us.

If you would like to enter the kingdom of God, pray this prayer:

God forgive me, a sinner. I have sinned against You. I turn from my sin, and I want to follow Jesus. Thank You, Jesus, for paying the price of my sin on the cross. Come into my life. Give me Your kingdom. Teach me Your ways, and guide me. I give You my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you just prayed that prayer, please tell us in the comment section, so that we can pray for you. Please find a church that teaches from the Bible, and begin reading the Bible, and praying that the Holy Spirit will guide you. I’m praying for you.

Our Responsibility

Just like the priests stepped into the water and the Israelites walked across the Jordan River, we are to start walking and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.

God promises. We walk. God delivers.

My prayer

Our Father in heaven, cause Your name to be honored in our lives and our families. We ask that Your kingdom reign in our lives, our families, our churches, our cities, and our nation. Give us the courage to step into the waters and before our enemies and walk in Your power. We trust in Your promises, and we know that You keep Your promises. We love You dearly, Father. Bless all who read this. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Please tell us in the comment section the promises God has placed on your heart.