When you hear about the Promised Land of the Bible, what comes to mind? Pastor Steve Wiens says we often miss out on the truth about what it means to be in the Promised Land.
“The myth is that we get to the Promised Land and it’s this place flowing with milk and honey. In today’s language, it would be retirement, we made it, and there won’t be any more problems.”
When the Israelites first entered the Promised Land, God repeatedly told Joshua to be “strong and courageous.” Why did God need to tell Joshua and the Israelites to be strong and courageous if they were just going to eat honey and drink milk all day?
Steve shares a different perspective of what the Promised Land looks like.
“It’s the place you inhabit, in a spiritual sense, when you have done your work of restoration. We’ll always be a work in progress and we’ll never arrive, but, for those of us who have wrestled the demons and done the inner work, and are moving toward God, we have entered the Promised Land.”
“We’ve begun to look around and see the brokenness around us and say I’m no longer just going to watch it, I’m going to be a part of the restoration of all things. Not just my own soul, but of all things. The Promised Land is where you are starting to experience with others the wholeness that God wants to bring about.”
While it’s not easy, Steve believes that one of the reasons God put us here on earth is to partner with Him as He restores all things.
Steve Wiens is the founding pastor of Genesis Covenant Church. Steve has been a pastor since 1995, serving congregations ranging in size from 150 to 5,000. He is the author of and . Steve podcasts at This Good Word.
Key Scripture: Genesis 3:8-9
Featured Songs: Pieces – Natalie Grant; Unfinished – Mandisa; Catch the Wind – Bethel Music
Restoring brokenness
