Bound for the Promised Land

The words of Samuel Stennett’s “I Am Bound for the Promised Land” both encourage and challenge the Christian.

 

• On Jordan’s stormy banks I stand, and cast a wishful eye, to Canaan’s fair and happy land, where my possessions lie. 
• O’er all those wide-extended plains shines one eternal day, there God the Son forever reigns and scatters night away. 
• When shall I reach that happy place, and be forever blest? When shall I see the Father’s face, and in His bosom rest? 
• I am bound for the promised land, I am bound for the promised land; O who will come and go with me? I am bound for the promised land.

 

The beautiful song inspires us to look for the coming of Christ and our eternal reward with longing. We are pressing toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). We are looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).  

 

We are looking for the prize of heaven because our treasures are there (Matthew 6:19,20). Our Savior is reigning there (Acts 2:33,36; Philippians 2:10,11). Our Father is there and He will give us rest and will end our sadness and pain (Hebrews 4:9,11; Revelation 21:3,4). We are longing for the “one eternal day” where those who are faithful will receive entrance into the promised land of heaven (John 5:28,29). 

 

The words of Samuel Stennett also challenge us to faithful living and to evangelism. 

 

One can believe he is bound for the promised land and be sadly mistaken. Christ Jesus, during the Sermon on the Mount, proclaimed a powerful warning to those who would claim to be followers of God:  

 

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (Matthew 6:21-23).

 

The one who has not been obedient to the will of God will not have a reward in heaven, but a place of punishment that will not end (Matthew 25:12,30,41,46).

 

In order to receive the reward of eternal life we must be faithful until death to receive the crown of life (Revelation 2:10). Paul assured Timothy that all who fight the good fight of faith, those who stay the course, finishing the race, and those who keep the faith (three ways to describe the same steadfast character of the believer; the one who loved Christ’s appearing) will receive the crown of righteousness on that glorious day, when Christ will judge the world through His word (2 Timothy 4:6-8; John 12:48; Revelation 20:12,15; 21:27). The faithful, one whose name is written in the Book of Life, can enter into the judgment with confidence.

 

A second challenge in the words of Samuel Stennett is found in the final two sentences of the poem: “O who will come and go with me?” If we truly love God and love the souls of men, we will desire to tell them about Jesus Christ and the redeeming blood that was shed upon the cross (Matthew 22:36-40). Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). As soldiers in His army, we have the same mission (2 Timothy 2:2,4; Mark 16:15,16). “He who wins souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30). Let us like Andrew declare, “We have found the Messiah” and like Philip encourage others to “Come and see” (John 1:41,46).

 

Every Christian should shout from the roof tops, “I am bound for promised land” and beg “O who will come and go with me?” With wishful eyes, let us stand faithful, anticipating the return of the Lord. Oh how wonderful it will be to go Home!