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  THEY DID EAT OF THE FRUIT OF THE LAND OF CANAAN THAT YEAR
  by C.H. Spurgeon
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Summary: The sermon encourages believers to trust in God's promise of
eternal rest and to rejoice in the prospect of being with Jesus in
heaven.

Topics: "Rest in Christ", "Hope and Assurance"
Scripture References: Hebrews 4:9

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DESCRIPTION
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C.H. Spurgeon reflects on the end of Israel's wanderings and their
arrival in the promised land, symbolizing the rest and joy that
believers can find in Christ. He encourages Christians to embrace the
hope of eternal rest with Jesus, despite the challenges that may lie
ahead, such as the Jordan River representing obstacles. Spurgeon
emphasizes that even while some may remain on earth to serve, they can
still experience the peace and joy of communion with God. He calls for
believers to feed on Jesus and partake in the spiritual fruits available
to them, transforming their earthly experiences into a taste of heavenly
glory.

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CONTENT
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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
us "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 made the desert like the garden of the Lord. Man did eat
angels' food of old, and why not now ? O for grace to feed on Jesus, and
so to eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan this year!

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/ch-spurgeon/they-did-eat-of-the-fruit-of-the-land-of-canaan-that-year/
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