Many years ago I taught an Old Testament Survey course in the local church fellowship we were a part of.  As I was preparing for my class on the book of Joshua, I was musing on the spiritual typology of the Israelites as they cross the Jordan River and go up and possess the land of Canaan under Joshua’s leadership.  As significant as this time in Israel’s history was, it was merely a type and shadow of something much greater that would one day be ushered in by a greater “Joshua”.

The spiritual reality that the book of Joshua points to for the church in Christ, the spiritual Israel, is best captured for us in the epistle to the Ephesians.  The land of Canaan can be rightly described in New Testament spiritual terms as “the heavenly realms”, in which we have been “blessed…with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” (Eph. 1:3)  Furthermore, as the land of Canaan had inhabitants who were under God’s judgement and had to be dispossessed through natural warfare, so also, these “heavenly realms” are entrenched with spiritual enemies who need to be dispossessed through spiritual warfare: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Eph. 6:12)  Christ Jesus Himself, then, in all of His heavenly fullness, including His heavenly Kingdom realm, is our Promised Land as new covenant believers.  The natural land of Canaan was just a meager, earthly shadow of this glorious, heavenly inheritance that is ours to fully possess in Christ Jesus.

As I was musing on these thoughts back then, I felt led to pick up my guitar.  As I began to play, a song was birthed in me.  I grabbed pen and paper and began to write as the melody and lyrics flowed almost effortlessly.  Within a short while, I had a complete song that captured what was in my heart concerning these spiritual realities.  The song, We’re Going Up, is the first and only ballad-type of song that the Lord has given me.  I believe it was a prophetic gift from the Lord at the time, and all these years later, believe it still speaks poignantly and prophetically to the Church.  These are timeless truths for the Church of Christ at all times and in all places!

I have had the lyrics of this song posted on the blog for a number of years now, but, recently, at the request of a reader, I decided to make a simple recording of it (using a smart phone and minimal editing techniques.)  I then included an audio player with the recording on the existing page.  I have now, also, recreated that page below for this post, for your enjoyment and encouragement!

So, find a quiet place for meditation, put on some headphones and give a listen.

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We’re Going Up

All the way in this barren wilderness

We muttered, we grumbled, and we wept

And though God had sworn His good promise to us

We doubted His word would be kept

Now all across the desert sands

There lie the bodies of unbelieving men

Consumed by the wasting wilderness

The final reward for the faithless

***

But now God has brought us to Jordan’s shore

To bring us to the land of our dreams

And He calls us to rise up in faith once more

For we face an uncrossable stream

But He has promised to make a way

If we will simply trust and obey

The Ark of the Covenant shall go before

And Jordan’s waters shall flow no more.

***

We’re going up

To possess the land

We’re going in

At Joshua’s command

We’re going up

On God’s Word we stand

The good Lord has given it into our hands

***

And though there be giants and walls in the land

We shall not fear, nor dread

For wherever the feet of Joshua shall stand

The land shall be given to us instead

It’s a land of bounty

A land that is blessed

A land where God’s children shall dwell and find rest

A land where the God of Israel

Shall set up His Kingdom and forever dwell

***

We’re going up

To possess the land

We’re going in

At Joshua’s command

We’re going up

On God’s Word we stand

The good Lord has given it into our hands

We’re going up…

***

Now ages have passed since that glorious time of old

When Joshua took the Promised Land

But the Church now stands at this same threshold

With yet a greater Canaan at hand

For we have been promised the high, holy ground

Where all spiritual blessings in Christ are found

An heavenly Kingdom for all who believe

And will lay down their lives that they might receive

***

So let us not waver, nor shrink back in fear

And own the wilderness as our grave

But let us arise and in faith draw near

To our God, for He is mighty to save

For our Heavenly Joshua has gone on before

He’s reigning now in glory, a mighty Man of war

O, now is the time to arise and possess

The fullness of His Kingdom as our inheritance

***

We’re going up

To possess the Land

We’re going in

At JESUS’ command

We’re going up

On God’s Word we stand

The good Lord has given it into our hands

The good Lord has given it into our hands

The good Lord has given it into our hands

We’re going up!

~ ~ ~

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©1992 Words and music by David Bolton. All rights reserved.

Original Poems/Songs

Creative Expressions

“mystery post”  (randomly generated)