22-Aug-2024 – Your promised land requires you to cross Gilgal
At that time, the LORD said to Joshua, “Make sharp knives and circumcise the children of Israel a second time.” – Joshua 5:2
In this chapter, we witness a transformation in the lives of the Israelites, transitioning from one phase to another. The turning point for them is Gilgal, where they move from probation to full-time commitment, and from one generation to the next. In the verse above, we see that the LORD calls the Israelites, through Joshua, to circumcision.
This is a crucial moment in the lives of the Israelites because circumcision was first given to Abraham and continued with subsequent generations. Even in Egypt, they maintained this practice as a signature of God’s covenant. However, in the wilderness, although the circumcised generation witnessed many miracles of God, they also murmured and failed to uphold the covenant. They became fearful when they saw the giants and rebelled against God’s plan, preparing to return to Egypt and surrender to the enemy. This rebellion resulted in punishment, turning a 40-day journey into 40 years.
Now, the time had come for them to conquer the Promised Land, which was part of the covenant made with Abraham. To enter this land, the Israelites were required to renew their covenant through circumcision. In our practical lives, the Promised Land represents heaven, but on earth, it symbolizes God’s purpose for us. For example, if it is God’s will for me to engage in ministry, then that is my Promised Land. To enter this Promised Land, circumcision—symbolizing the giving up of worldly pleasures—is necessary.
If it is your time to step into the role that God has intended for you, then it is your time to be circumcised, spiritually speaking. Otherwise, the reproach of Egypt, representing the world, will remain. But aren’t we New Testament believers? Doesn’t that mean circumcision no longer applies to us? Yes, that is true.
“In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ.” – Colossians 2:11
Circumcision, in this context, is the putting off of the flesh. When the flesh is active, spiritual work cannot be accomplished. However, we cannot do this on our own, which is why our LORD Jesus Christ died on the cross and enabled us, through the Spirit, to put off the flesh by believing in Him. Once we believe, we have the guidance of the Holy Spirit, but responding to Him in action to put off the flesh requires deliberate effort. Only then can we be perfectly aligned with God’s intended Promised Land for our lives.
So, our prayer today is to seek God’s help in identifying the areas of our lives that are delaying His purpose from being manifested. Disengaging from these areas is equivalent to putting off the flesh. Let us also pray for the revelation of our Promised Land, so that at any moment, we can work for the Lord in the position He intends for us.
Prayer
Dear loving Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love and grace. Thank You for teaching us today about preparation for entering the Promised Land and for revealing that the Promised Land represents our intended position in life on this earth. Help us to be watchful and prepared to conquer the Promised Land. Grant us the experience of Gilgal in our lives. I pray in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen!
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