See, I have set the land before you. Enter and take possession of the land the LORD swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and their future descendants.     Deuteronomy 1:8 HCSB

In our Scripture passage for today, Moses is preparing the Israelites to go in and conquer the Promised Land. God had promised Abraham back in Genesis that He would give this land to the Israelites, His chosen people, as an inheritance.

Many people believe that the Old Testament is no longer relevant to their lives today. However, if you examine the Old Testament, you will find that we share many similarities with the Israelites. They were God’s chosen people. We can choose to be a part of God’s family. We can accept Christ as our Savior and become a child of God. As a child of God, our inheritance is the Promised Land of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus said in John 14:2, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”

The Israelites have had a history from Genesis through Numbers of being disobedient. They whined and complained in the desert. They failed to appreciate the things God did for them and turned a two-week trip into 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. They were punished time and time again for their disobedience. They would repent and do better for a bit, but then they would fall back into a pattern of disobedience.

In Deuteronomy, Moses will not continue with them into the Promised Land. God has instructed him to prepare and equip those going into the Promised Land. They will have to conquer the land. They will have to fight and destroy the current inhabitants. This is not because God cared nothing about the current inhabitants, but this is because the current inhabitants were pagans who refused to repent. God did not want them to be a negative influence on His chosen people, the Israelites.

Just as the Israelites had to conquer the land, we must conquer life here on earth. As God’s children, we will face hardships. We will have to fight against temptation and sin. We will suffer here on earth. Jesus tells us in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.”

Moses would go on in Deuteronomy to explain to the Israelites that their study of God’s word and their obedience to God’s word would be crucial to their mission. Our knowledge and obedience to God’s word are also critical for our well-being and for our ability to conquer the world and gain our inheritance in the kingdom of God.

People go to great lengths to secure an earthly inheritance of money or property. These things are temporary. What are you willing to endure to secure an everlasting inheritance with God in heaven? Are you willing to obey God here on earth? Are you willing to trust in Him? Are you willing to surrender your life and your will to His will?

This is how we claim our inheritance with God in heaven. God said in Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Israel wasn’t going to conquer the Promised Land alone; they would do it with God’s help. We won’t make it through this world to the kingdom of God without His help. Trust in Him today. Be a conqueror. Your inheritance awaits on the other side; claim it today.

Have a great day!