Deuteronomy 31:1-8 , Psalm 40 ; 1 Corinthians 1

Scripture -   "Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated. Don't give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down; he won't leave you."  Deuteronomy 31:6

Observation - As the people of Israel get ready to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land Moses tells them to go for it, because God will go before them and be with them, so the Land of Promise will be theirs.  God will secure it for them.

Application - Jesus tells his disciples (which is also a word for us) that he will be with them/us always.  What "Land of Promise"  is his presence securing for us?  Is it not something far greater than a patch of earth, a house, car or anything that we can put our hands on, even are own earthly life?  Is not our Promised Land in a "kingdom that is not of this world?"  How might our day to day living change when we prepare for our final destination, confident that it is by the Lord's work that we will arrive there safely?  Does it change when we feel like the land we are in isn't a wilderness, but a pretty good place to begin with?

Prayer - Dear God, you led your people, Israel, out of slavery in Egypt, through the wilderness and into the Promised Land.  In Christ Jesus you have led your people out of slavery to sin and death and into the life that really is life.  Help me, Lord, to always live in the light of this ultimate reality.  In Jesus' name I pray.  Amen.