"A HERITAGE FROM THE LORD" Bible Reading Thoughts for March 14th

“A HERITAGE FROM THE LORD” 

     No one despises an inheritance, they are usually a cause of joy!  But what we inherit is often a challenge too!  A challenge to our wisdom, how to use it wisely.    How many are conscious of our Lord’s all seeing eyes and knowledge of all the decisions we make in this – and, of course, all the other decisions we make.  However, receiving an inheritance leads to especially challenging decisions.  

     One very important situation is clearly alluded to in Psalm 127 which we read this morning yet we may often pass over it without really thinking.  We read, “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward” [v.3]  A heritage?  Do those who have children see them as an inheritance the Lord has provided?   We should – and in seeing them that way, surely we should make use of the inheritance with the utmost care and wisdom.  But do we?

     The Psalmist enlarges on this theme in the next Psalm, “Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.  Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD” [128 v.3,4]    

     Let’s give careful thought to the very first words that God spoke to Adam and Eve about their inheritance?  They still apply. “Be fruitful and multiply and subdue it and have dominion over … Behold I have given you …” [Gen. 1 v.28,29] What blessings surrounded them in the garden, what an inheritance.

      The foolishness of humans has often abused God’s blessings, they take for granted their “heritage from the LORD.”  In contrast all those who have a real relationship with the one who has provided all, a relationship which is experienced in various ways every day, will value all the aspects of the results that flow from that relationship, it is far more than a case of whether we have children or not.   

      Next week we will come to the passage in Luke where it says Jesus “rejoiced”!  What did he rejoice over – he was praying to his Father saying, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes Father, for such was your gracious will.” [ch. 10 v.21]  Let us become as “little children” and then we will know how to use our inheritance.