Psalm 47:4

Psalm 47:4

Because He loves us

Let’s be clear here, the Israelites were not a war-mongering nation who volunteered to secretly sneak out of Egypt, cross the Red Sea and then inflict carnage and military conquest on everyone who stood in their way. Neither did they set their sights on Canaan and decide to march across the desert in double quick time, to arrogantly trample across that land of promise, driving out its inhabitants and re-setting its borders. In fact, their experience was the very opposite, they left Egypt under the cover of darkness hotly pursued by Pharaoh’s army, they crossed the Red Sea by some kind of miracle and then wandered aimlessly in the wilderness for 40 years with no clue about where they were going! They conquered Jericho by blowing trumpets and instead of cleansing Canaan they wasted years doing deals with the indigenous tribes. If it were not for the Lord God’s constant intervention and miraculous provision, they would never have made it! In fact they never completely conquered the land that the Lord had promised them.  Why did He do this? Because they were His chosen people and Canaan was His chosen land – the Promised Land. Later, the Lord would remind them, on many occasions, “I gave it to your ancestors, as an inheritance.” The new-born nation and its land was Jacob’s pride, no doubt. And I ask again, why did God do this? Because He loved these people.

There is a lesson here for we who follow Christ and believe in Him with all our hearts, for we are also chosen. Our God is Jacob’s God, and He longs to take us on a journey, covered by His protection and provision, to bring us to a land of promise and a place of rest. Be done with Egypt. Be free of the spiritual wilderness. Lay down all, that you might live in close relationship with your Lord, for He loves you too and desires to bring you to your spiritual home. This is not some heavenly fantasy that may or may not happen in the future, it is who you are, now! Your greatest potential in this world is in Him. Hallelujah!

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