Heritage

The Honorable Sid Jones, former Assistant Secretary of Treasury gave his “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” lecture to over 55 senior leaders from industry, the military and the government. His address punctuated the bleakness of the current U.S. economy, future dangers and possible remedies. He foresees an economic collapse for America given the great number of aging adults and the demands they place on social security. In describing U.S. assets and priorities one of his statements grabbed my attention. “We spend as much on security as the rest of the world combined.” Those words reminded me of Psalm 61:5.

Meditation
Psalm 61:5—God, You have heard my vows; You have given a heritage to those who fear Your name.

What we view as security says much about our spiritual maturity. Perhaps you own land or possessions passed on to you by your parents or grandparents. You could spend your whole life earning and putting money into savings or investments to pass on to your children as a heritage. But the reality is our world is temporary. There is no guarantee that you or your children will keep what is possessed. Wars, sickness, graft, theft, failed ventures and a host of other unknowns can easily destroy what we value. Therefore, while we should certainly appreciate what we inherit on earth we must never lose sight of a better heritage.

• Without salvation, there is no heritage; therefore, life is the ultimate heritage! In John 3:16 Jesus promised, "For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” Notice Jesus also gave us insight into life priorities in Matthew 19:29, “And everyone who has left houses, brothers or sisters, father or mother, children, or fields because of My name will receive 100 times more and will inherit eternal life.”
• God’s Word is freely given to us to obey—it is an eternal heritage. The writer of Psalm 119 wrote in verse eleven, “I have Your decrees as a heritage forever; indeed, they are the joy of my heart.”
• The love of Jesus is a heritage to all who keep His commands. “If you keep My [Jesus] commands you will remain in My love” (John 15:10a).
• Jesus taught that after He returned to heaven the Holy Spirit would come upon His followers (Acts 1:8). Incredibly, God makes Himself our heritage. “Don’t you know that you are God’s sanctuary and that the Spirit of God lives in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16).
• Jesus told His followers, “I am going away to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2b).

Life-word-love-presence-dwelling, do we understand what God offers us? Let’s not worry over what will eventually burn when we should passionately glow in what can never be taken away! King David wrote, “But as for me, LORD, my prayer to You is for a time of favor. In Your abundant faithful love, God, answer me with Your sure salvation” (Psa.69:13). David got it right. He knew the best heritage was salvation. How about you, do you get it? Something to think about . . . in reveration!

Inspiration
Christ is not simply preparing a place for us; He is preparing us for that place.—Randy Alcorn in Heaven