“See, I have placed the land before you, go in and possess the land which the Lord swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to them and their descendants after them…See, the Lord your God has placed the land before you; go up, take possession, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has spoken to you. Do not fear or be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 1:8,21, NASB).

Most of the book of Deuteronomy consists of speeches made by Moses to the Israelites during the final months of his life and just prior to entering the land of Canaan. This particular admonition to go and possess the promised land, contained notably in the first chapter of Deuteronomy, was repeated twice in the first twenty-one verses.

But, I think it’s also significant because it was not only God’s injunction to the Israelites, but He’s still directing His people in the same way and  with the same provocation today. God implores us to possess the promises He has made to us, to accomplish His plans and purposes for our lives, to achieve our destiny in Him.

Here’s how I know this. When I feel the Spirit of God moving within me, leading me, guiding me, encouraging me, then I feel this deep sense of destiny. I suddenly feel empowered to effect or execute God’s will for me–to “go in and possess the land!” It’s like for a moment God gives me a glimpse of my eternal future and it’s awesome!

That sense of destiny, that connectedness to eternity, let’s me know that I’m in God’s will, that what I’m doing or need to do or the decision I’m making is a step in the right direction towards my eternal future. It’s like God is preparing me for eternity, an eternity that starts now!

And, because I am connected to eternity, then I am assured that God will lead me through this life to the eternal life He has planned for me.

So, God is declaring to you today, “Go and possess the land!” Realize your destiny in this life and for the life to come by accomplishing the plans and purposes God has assigned to you. He will show you the way. And, His Spirit within you will bear witness to His will for you. And it’s awesome!

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13, NASB)