Camping in Canaan’s Land

I have left the land of bondage with its earthly treasures
I’ve journeyed to a place where there is love on every hand
I’ve exchanged a land of heartaches for a land of pleasures
I’m camping, I’m camping in Canaan’s happy land

Chorus
Every day I’m camping, camping, in the land of Canaan’s land
And with rapture I survey its wondrous beauties grand, on glory
Glory, hallelujah, I have found the land of promise, and
I’m camping, I’m camping in Canaan’s happy land

Out of Egypt I have travelled, thru the darkness dreary
Far over hills and valley’s and across the desert sands
But I’ve landed safe at home where I shall not grow weary
I’m camping, I’m camping in Canaan’s happy land

Yes, I’ve reached the land of promise with its scenes of glory
My journey ended in a place so lovely and so grand
I’ve been led by Jesus to this blessed land of story
I’m camping, I’m camping in Canaan’s happy land

This particular hymn was written by Alfred Brumley.  Mr. Brumley is a name you might not recognize, but he is the author of other songs I am sure you have heard of.  “I’ll fly away,” “I’ll meet you in the morning,” “Jesus, Hold my hand,” and a Southern Gospel classic “Turn your radio on.”  This particular hymn was inspired by the journey of the Hebrew people from Egypt to the Promised Land.  An image of the journey from sin to salvation.  From eternal condemnation to eternal life.  A picture that all of us as Christians should be able to relate to.

Here’s a link to the video if you are unfamiliar with this song:

Mr. Brumley has a special place in my heart for two reasons.  One is obvious – he was a great hymnwriter.  The second reason is that he grew up a poor sharecropper in Eastern Oklahoma.  I have an affinity for hard-working, honest Christian people from the great State of Oklahoma.  There’s just something special about those kinds of folks.  Right?

Couple of comments on the lyrics:

• “I have left a land of bondage with its earthly treasures” – I find this phraseology very interesting.  Do bondage and treasures really go together?  In this case, they do.  How many people have you seen on TV or read about in the papers that have all the earthly treasures one could ever want, but are still living in spiritual bondage?  Their things and their wealth do not satisfy.  It chains them to this world of empty pleasures and temporaral satisfaction.  Like Egypt, it was a place of great treasure, but also a place of great bondage.  But we can, as children of God, rejoice that He has freed us from the bondage of sin and from the bondage of earthly treasures.

• “I’ve journeyed…” – Like the Hebrew people, our path from sin and bondage to freedom and grace is a journey.  Although when Christ comes into our hearts we are forgiven and freed from sin instantly, we also recognize that discipleship and sanctification are a journey.  God is, slowly but surely, conforming us more and more into the image of His Son.  We should look more like Christ today than we did when we began our spiritual journey, but all of us have more work to do to become more like Jesus.  We are on a journey.

I will be the first to tell you that I am not much of a camping person.  I didn’t grow up doing it, and I have grown awfully accustomed to modern conveniences like air conditioning and running water.  Although I am not a “camper,” I do know a little about camping:

Campers always seem to have a fire going.  It doesn’t matter if you camp in the spring, summer, fall or winter, there always seems to be a fire going.  For cooking.  For warmth.  If the fire looks like it goes out in the night, you can go over and stir the coals and get it going again.

Good campers only bring the necessities.  They don’t carry extra “baggage” around.  They try and fit the least amount of things in their backpack or their car for a camping trip.

Campers are ready to pack up and leave at a moment’s notice.  They know what to do when a storm blows in and how to deal with a sudden change in plans.  Campers are flexible.

So let me ask you:

Do you always have your spiritual fire going?  Has your fire died down?  Is it time to stir the coals?

Are you carrying too much baggage in your life?  Have you become burdened by earthly treasures that it has impacted your journey?

Are you ready to go?  Are you ready to follow the Lord’s leading or, more importantly, are you ready to meet the Savior?  Are your plans flexible and are you ready to change them at the Lord’s direction?

I pray today that you are Camping – Camping in Canaan’s happy land.  That you have left a land of bondage and journeyed to a place where there is love on every hand.