They Did Eat of the Fruit of the Land of Canaan That Year
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.
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.
Text
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!
Sermon Outline
- The Promised Rest Attained points: - No more wandering in the wilderness - Arrival in the land of Canaan
- The Prospect of Eternal Rest points: - Being with Jesus in the rest that remains - Expecting glory so soon
- Banishing Fear and Doubt points: - Rest assured of God's presence - Rejoicing in the prospect of eternal rest
- Service for the Lord points: - Some will tarry on earth to serve - Entering into rest through faith
- Celestial Fruits on Earthly Ground points: - Faith and hope bring the desert to life - Eating angels' food through faith in Jesus
Key Quotes
“We who have believed do enter into rest.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“We will this year gather celestial fruits on earthly ground, where faith and hope have made the desert like the garden of the Lord.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“O for grace to feed on Jesus, and so to eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan this year!” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Trust in God's promise of eternal rest and rejoice in the prospect of being with Jesus in heaven.
- Faith and hope are essential in achieving eternal rest and bringing the desert to life.
- We can experience a taste of the glory to come through the Holy Spirit, who is the earnest of our inheritance.