Claiming Your Inheritance

Claiming Your Inheritance

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:1-15

“Furthermore, because of Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us from the beginning, and all things happen just as he decided long ago. (Eph. 1:11 NLT)

Reading Joshua chapters 13-19 is like sitting in an attorney’s office and listening to the reading of a last will and testament. Moses and Joshua served as executors of Jacob’s estate. All the descendants of Jacob gathered around the executors to receive their allotments in the Land of Promise.

     “Half the tribe of Manassah and the tribes of Reuben and Gad had already received their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan, for Moses, the servant of the Lord, had previously assigned this land to them” (Joshua 13:8 NLT).

     The remaining nine and a half tribes received their allotments on the western side of the Jordan River by means of sacred lots. The priestly tribe of Levi did not receive an allotment. Instead, they received something far greater—a special relationship with the Lord God of Israel. They were assigned the task of acting as God’s earthly representatives to the people.

     I have two very dear friends living in a town near Portsmouth, England who have the use of a piece of ground called an “allotment.” The town set aside a tract of land that is divided among the residents for gardens. They raise all kinds of fruits and vegetables in their tiny plot of ground. In fact, the last time my wife and I visited them, we brought home some of Ute’s homemade jellies and jams. Yummm!

     Our heavenly Father has given to believers a wealth of precious promises. One of those promises is an inheritance that the Apostle Peter says, “is imperishable, and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven” (1 Pet. 1:4 NASB). Our inheritance is given as a present reality even though we will not realize its benefits until that day when we step through the pearly gates into heaven itself.

     You and I have an eternal allotment given to us through faith in Jesus Christ. What are you planting in your space? Are they seeds of kindness, and acts of humility and devotion?  The Bible says, “Don’t be misled. Remember that you can’t ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow! (Gal. 6:7 NLT)

     Get excited! Don’t wait another second. Start enjoying your inheritance now—you’ll have all eternity to enjoy it.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I love the chorus, “I’ve got a home in glory land that outshines the sun.”