"You Shall Bless the Lord Your God"

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“The whole commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers.” This admonition Moses spoke to the people of Israel as they gathered on the edge of the Promised Land, anxiously waiting to enter the land which the Lord had sworn to give to their forefathers. And our text speaks just as powerfully to us.

The Lord has indeed promised a land to our forefathers. The land promised to us is a great and wonderful land. Its streets are paved with gold, and its gates are precious stones. Mighty trees line a beautiful river. Their fruit brings life everlasting, and the water satisfies the deepest thirst. There is no need for lamp or sun, and there is no sorrow or dying or sickness or darkness. The Lamb is in the midst of this land, and His people are gathered around Him in one great multitude from every nation and tribe and tongue.

However, the road to that land is long and hard. There are many long nights spent in the wilderness. Wolves and jackals prowl and seek to devour whom they can. Coyotes howl and bay in the distance, striking fear into those unawares. The path is long and winding. It is narrow and rocky. Thieves and robbers lurk behind every bend. Storms threaten to wash away those who travel this road. Famines and heat strike hard and often. There are many who do not finish this journey. They are crushed by their fears and doubts. The wolves devour those who stray from the true way.

“And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.” The Lord has led you thus far through all your years in the wilderness. He has kept His lamp burning before you to guide your way. He has tested you through trials and adversities, to refine and reinforce your faith. He has tried your heart and your mind and has tested you to conform your heart to His.

The Lord your God has tested you and has humbled you before Him, but He has not left you alone in despair. He has fed you with His bread in the wilderness. Throughout your journey, your garment has not worn out, nor your shoes. Your feet have not swelled, nor your body given out. The Lord your God has sustained you through all your days.

Throughout your journey, you have been led by the Lord's standard and ensign going before your face to prepare the way. The cross of Christ stands before you, pointing the way to the Promised Land. In the crucifixion of our Lord, the glory of God shone forth as an ever-burning lamp for your feet and a light for your path. His death has paid the entrance price that allows you to receive the inheritance promised to Abraham and to our fathers from every generation. His light has never failed to shine in your heart. His truth rings in your ears. His Body and Blood continue to feed and sustain you along your way. His word of Absolution clears away the fear and doubt from your heart. The Holy Spirit calls out to you, leading, guiding, and encouraging to persevere, no matter how hard or how long the road.

“For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land... And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.” The Lord your God is indeed bringing you into the Promised Land. He is leading and guiding you on the path to your heavenly home. He is leading you along the narrow and difficult way, so that He can bring you into the Holy City and hear your voice blending with the host of heaven singing before the throne of God and of the Lamb. And in that multitude of the heavenly host, you will feast at the banquet table of God. You will partake of the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. You will be filled with the choicest of foods and the best of wines, and will never lack for anything.

Give thanks for the blessings that the Lord your God has given you. Give thanks for the light and life revealed in Jesus Christ. Give thanks that throughout your years in the wilderness, the Lord has not abandoned you nor forsaken you. Give thanks for the abundance with which He has blessed you. Give thanks that the hard times have not overpowered you.

So keep your foot steady. Keep your face turned toward the Promised Land. Remember how the Lord your God has made you his child. Remember the commandments which He has commanded you, that you keep them by walking in His ways. And you will walk before the Lord in a land in which you will eat and not lack, drink and never thirst.

Even so, Lord, quickly come

To Thy final harvest home;

Gather Thou Thy people in,

Free from sorrow, free from sin,

There, forever purified,

In Thy garner to abide:

Come with all Thine angels, come,

Raise the glorious harvest home!

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.