Heritage

For the past couple weeks I keep coming across several words during my Bible reading, one of them being the word “heritage.” I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately, so I decided to look up all the verses in the Bible containing that word, and these are a few of the interesting verses my Online Bible program came up with. I wasn’t planning to do this, but after meditating on some of these verses I ended up writing a bunch of thoughts I had. So, here goes…

Exodus 6:8 ~ And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the LORD.

Psalm 16:6 ~ The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

Praise God! I, like David, can say that I have a goodly heritage. I’ve got parents who love God first and foremost and, therefore, love each other even more deeply than they otherwise would. It truly is a mystery to me how that works. It’s like a triangle. You wouldn’t think it would be possible to love a spouse better by loving God more; to the world that sounds preposterous, but it works! I’ve seen it! When God is put first, everything in a marriage falls into place. Take Him out of the picture, and things quickly become a mess. God is the glue that can make broken marriages brand new!

Anyway, to continue what I was saying… My parents love God and love each other and, therefore, love me enough to make me do what I often don’t want to do. I recently discovered, once again, that parents really are a good thing to have. Sometimes they make difficult decisions that I know I should make but don’t have the courage to carry out. At times they have to exercise their authority by creating rules that often make them as sad as they make me, but they are right and will be best for everyone involved. I actually have the easy part; all I have to do is obey!!!

You know, I think being a parent is probably one of the toughest jobs in the whole world. Good parents love their children enough to restrain them. Good parents love their children enough to temporarily be the “bad guy,” because they know in the end their decision will be best for their offspring. Good parents take the time to make their children obey them. Bad parents let their children do whatever they please, which may seem like love, but it is actually extremely damaging.

We look around today and wonder why society is such a mess…why people have to be taught the most basic of basic things. The main reason why this world is a scene of chaos is because of authority problems, which is interesting, because that is what got Satan thrown out of Heaven. Satan rebelled against God, and then Satan turned the human race against God when he tempted Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. That’s where it all started. The fact is, this world rejects God’s authority and that is the root problem to all other problems we face today. Those in the highest seats of authority--kings, queens, presidents, senators, governors, judges--reject God’s supreme authority. Civilians reject the authority of their superiors--the police, their bosses, etc. Children see parents who aren’t in subjection to God or the authorities placed in their lives; therefore, they are disobedient to their parents. We see the domino effect of disobedience; it never involves just one person, and it has a downward spiral that goes beyond the imagination. 2 Timothy 3:2 says that in the last days children will be disobedient to parents. Dad said this in his message a few Sundays ago, and it’s true. We have disobedient children because we have disobedient parents. Today we see the disturbing results of a heritage of disobedience, rebellion passed down from one generation to the next. This is not the “goodly heritage” David described in Psalm 16:6.

I’m thankful that the lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places, and I have a goodly heritage. I am thankful for godly parents, for having been born into a Christian home and brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Praise God!!!

Psalm 61:5 ~ For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.

This verse goes hand-in-hand with Psalm 16:6. Being born into a Christian family, I have received the blessing of learning early on in life to fear God’s name. My parents raised me, not on fairy tales and books that have little meaning, but on the Bible. Before I was born I was in church every Sunday. Before my parents knew me they introduced me to the God who was tenderly forming me in my mother’s womb. Before their ears heard the sound of my infant cries, my ears heard the Bible being read and the spiritual discussions of my parents in our home. What an awesome thought! And then upon being born I was prayed over and as I became a toddler the Children’s Bible was read to me every time I was laid down to sleep. What a precious thing! “Thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.”

I was reading a book the other night about a family’s search for God--a God they had never heard of before but knew must exist simply because they felt the intricate detail of human life proved the existence of a Creator. Though it was fiction, I wondered how many times this scenario has actually happened in real life. The father, concerned for the eternal souls of his young children, began searching for some answers. Answers that would explain how one went about pleasing the God of the universe. Answers that would explain what happened after death. Answers that would procure a place for his children in Heaven. Answers that would satisfy the emptiness of his own soul. He started out by trying to go to church, but there were no services being held in the vacant church building. He asked around, but nobody had the answers he needed. One day his wife remembered a Bible she had received from her grandmother. For years this family read the Bible, until all the children knew the Bible stories by heart. Still, no peace came. Their search only seemed to get them so far. What could one do to please God? What could one do to enter His Heaven? The husband searched the Scriptures. He even tried to find an altar, thinking that would draw God’s attention and help them to pray. Then one day the pieces fit together. A close friend, still unsaved, told about his childhood experiences in church. Putting together what he had said and cross-referencing Scripture with Scripture, all the pieces of the puzzle fit into place!!! God had made man perfect. Man had sinned. God had required a payment for sin in the form of animal sacrifice. But that wasn’t enough. So God sent His sinless Son to die on a cross for the sins of mankind. All one had to do was repent, ask for forgiveness of sin, and trust in the finished work of Christ on Calvary. As both parents and their children experienced the joy of forgiveness and peace filled their souls, I cried as this picture unfolded in my mind. I suddenly realized that having grown up in a Christian home I've taken the simplicity of the gospel for granted. My siblings and I were raised knowing how to be saved; it was never a mystery to us. But to read the intense longing of one who doesn’t know... It really was an eye-opener. And it made me very glad to be saved. “Thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.” Those of us who can say this have something to be exceedingly thankful for!!!

Psalm 119:111 ~ Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

David received a goodly heritage of the Lord, and as he grew up and became a man, he declared, “Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever.” Notice the possessive word “taken.” David decided it wasn’t enough to be born into a Christian household. He had to make God’s testimonies--first salvation, then the Bible and Biblical principles--his own. David had no say in the parents he was born to, as he admitted when he wrote “the lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places.” Here in Psalm 119:111 we see that David deliberately chose to make his “goodly heritage” his very own. He claimed it and embraced it as his. Why? Because he saw by example and experienced by application and practice in his own life that God’s testimonies rejoice the heart. Like David, I have made the decision to embrace the goodly heritage I received at birth as my very own--first, by becoming a Christian, and, second, by committing my life to Jesus Christ. I can say without a second thought or a shadow of a doubt that God’s testimonies are the rejoicing of my heart!!!

By God’s grace this “goodly heritage” will not stop with me, but will be passed down to my children and my children’s children. Sometimes I find myself praying for my children, that they will serve God all their lives. This may sounds funny since I’m not even married yet, nor do I have children. Still, it can’t hurt to pray about it. If there is one thing I desire above all else it is that a heritage of godly Christians might continue on, so that when Christ appears to take away His Bride, there might be a remnant of dedicated Christians that He can delight in--a “Noah” who finds grace in His sight.

These verses don’t mention the word “heritage” once, but the meaning of the word is all over if you look closely.
Psalm 78:1-8 “Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.”

Psalm 127:3 ~ Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

This is one of those verses that I consider absolutely precious. Children are an inheritance. A gift lent from God. A reward. Children are adorable and precious! Especially children who are well behaved, I might add. I can’t understand people who don’t want kids. There is definitely something seriously wrong there! Then again, when I look around I can understand why some people have no desire to have kids…because the majority of what you see today are little rebels who only cause trouble and enormous frustration. It’s a sad thing, because it’s not even the children’s faults, but the parents who are to blame. God created children to be a blessing…a reward, meaning something to be enjoyed. Children who are well trained truly are a blessing to their parents and all who come in contact with them. Psalm 113:9 says, “He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children.” A joyful mother of children. That means God considers motherhood a thing that should bring great joy. God approves of women keeping the house (being home makers) and raising children that bring joy and not shame. God delights in parenthood, and God loves children. His heart bleeds as innocent babies are murdered every day. God HATES abortion, as do I!

Psalm 127:4-5 goes on to say, “As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.” Interesting that the Bible compares children to arrows and says that happy is the man who has his “quiver full of them.” Interesting to note that “a quiver full” probably means more than just two children, since two arrows would hardly fill a quiver. I never saw it that way until just now.

Why would God compare children to arrows? Arrows penetrate an object. Arrows pierce the object they are aimed at. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” As parents train up their children, they are aiming them, like arrows, at a goal in the future. Parents can train their children to be good “arrows” and shoot at the bad or to be bad “arrows” and shoot down the good. So why would God compare children to arrows? Maybe because He wants parents to train their children in the ways of the Lord so that their children will be as sharp arrows to the enemy, doing great damage to the kingdom of darkness.

Did you notice that phrase “children of the youth”? “As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth...they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.” I personally think God delights in the youth. We see throughout the Bible that God used young people, fully surrendered to Him, to accomplish His will. Age isn’t an issue with God. He looks past that and sees the heart…the will of an individual to please Him. An “arrow” (young person) in the hand of “a Mighty Man” (God) will not be ashamed and will “speak with the enemies in the gate.” To me that means witnessing. You know what I believe is really impressive? A young person totally sold out to God and taking a public stand for his or her beliefs. To be honest, you really don’t see that too often these days. Godly young people are becoming more and more scarce. In this day and age when nobody knows what they believe and dedication and commitment are almost nonexistent, I believe it is impressive, even to the lost, when they see a young person who is noticeably different from the average punk. Sure, people won’t always agree with you on everything, but they will begrudgingly admit that they respect you regardless! Young person, I encourage you to take a stand for what you believe. Stick with the stuff! God will bless you for it!!!

Psalm 111:6 ~ He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.

Isaiah 54:17 ~ No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

Praise God! We have victory in Christ! This is an awesome verse!!! My dad had us memorize it as children, and it has often come to my mind in times of discouragement or temptation.

Isaiah 58:14 ~ Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

Jeremiah 3:19 ~ But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me.

Joel 3:2 ~ I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.

Micah 7:18 ~ Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

Don’t we serve a GREAT God? He’s still in the saving business! I sure am glad He forgives sin and then throws it as far as the east is from the west. That’s a loooooong ways!

1 Peter 5:2-3 ~ Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

God’s heritage. When we got saved we were born into the family of God. Together Christians make up the body of Christ, the church, and the church, “the flock of God,” is God’s heritage. I think that is an endearing term. “God’s heritage.” Aren’t you glad for your church? Aren’t you glad you don’t have to hide away in a basement to worship God? There are countries in the world we live in today where churches are outlawed and Christians have no legal rights. We take too many things for granted, and that’s a fact. We take going to church every Sunday and having our religious freedom for granted. To some people church is an option. We go to church when churchgoing is in fashion or the weather is crummy and there’s nothing better to do. Otherwise forget it! God have mercy on such a wicked attitude as that! Going to church on Sundays and Wednesdays should be a time that is treasured.

Those of us who are in the ministry have the wonderful privilege of serving God’s people, His precious heritage. It is our responsibility to not abuse the authority we have as the “leadership,” but to be good examples to those around us. I’m so glad God has counted me worthy to be in the ministry! I wouldn’t trade places with anyone else! I love playing the piano for our church services; it’s not perfect, but it would be a sin if I withheld from God the little bit of talent I do have (see Matthew 25:14-30). I love working in the nursery with the little kids and serving in the kitchen and doing other jobs that need to be done.

You know, I can’t understand people who just go to church and warm a pew. How can Christians not want to get involved? When one loves somebody they do their best to please that person. Many Christians claim to love God, but their lack of action and enthusiastic involvement says otherwise. One person wisely observed: “You can give without loving, but you can’t love without giving.” Like James said, “…Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” (James 2:17-18) I don’t understand why the church doors aren’t being knocked down with volunteers or why pastors aren’t having to turn people away from offering to fill a job in the church or the church’s ministries.

But, these are the days we are living in. We see hearts growing cold and hard. It’s another sign of the times. The Bibles talks about the coming of the Son of man being like the days of Noah. God searched throughout all the earth and found one righteous man and his family. One righteous man!!! Praise God it’s not quite that bad just yet, but sometimes I catch myself wondering…How many righteous persons will there be when the Lord returns? How many Christians will be holding a beer, and how many Christians will be holding a Bible? When Christ appears, I want to be busy for the Lord. I want to be found faithful!!! I want to hear the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” That’s the best praise anyone could wish to hear!!! Look up, Christian, and stay busy in the King’s Business, for our redemption draweth nigh!

Well, those are some verses and thoughts on the word heritage.