When Joshua and the people
of Israel were about to cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, he told them,
“ye have not passed this way before.” Stretching out before them was an
uncharted course, an unknown land and glorious prospect. Yet, while these things
were unknown to them, the were not unknown to the all-knowing God that led them
and was in their midst. As we cross the threshold of not only a new year but
also a new millennium, we stand much as they did on that occasion. If we are of
the true Israel, that people who “worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ
Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh,” we have many more promises of our
covenant God than they. We are promised through the covenant ratifying blood of
the Lord Jesus the very presence of God. He has promised never to leave us or
forsake us. We can truly say as we behold the looming shadows ahead, “I will
fear no evil for thou art with me.” He will be that “friend that sticketh closer
than a brother.” We have also His promised protection. He has declared, “no
weapon that is formed against you shall prosper.” We are “kept by the power of
God through faith” and all the enemies of the Lord’s people are His enemies and
they shall not prevail. Satan may go about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may
devour but all who draw nigh to God find in Him complete safety. He is our
Refuge, our High Tower, our Strength and our Security. We lay like lambs in His
bosom as those He has given eternal life and we shall never perish. No real harm
shall come to them “that are in Christ Jesus” the Rock. He has also promised
sufficient provision. “My God shall supply all your needs according to His
riches in glory.” God who has given us His Son as our Savior, the full sacrifice
and payment for the debt of our sins, shall also with Him freely give us all
things. In the face of all man’s predictions concerning the availability of all
our physical needs He says, “take no thought.” “Be not anxious.” “Seek ye first
the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall added unto
you.” Think about it, how can the coming of a new millennium altar in any way
the promises, purpose or Person of the eternal God? His covenant is the
everlasting covenant and it is ordered in all things and sure. This is all our
salvation and hope. “Why are thou disqieted O my soul, hope thou in God.” His
word to His people through the apostle Peter still stands true: “But, beloved,
be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand
years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his
promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not
willing that any should perish, but that all should come to
repentance.“