“‘This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me,’ says the Lord.” Isaiah 54:17
Dear Ones:
The word “heritage” generally applies to property, or an allotted portion, that is received in an inheritance. The word inheritance applies to the entirety of that which is freely given by law, right, and promise. It is the sum total of that which is offered to be received. When we think of earthly things, we automatically think of land, possessions, things. But if we should climb Mount Nebo, as did Moses, and look over into the promised land, we are able to take in something of the vastness, beauty, and wonder of a land where the promises of God are fulfilled. What exactly IS the inheritance of the believer?
In one of Paul’s great prayers for the Ephesian church, written down in his letter to them, he writes: “…that the Father of glory may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (Christ).” He then goes on to specifically pray: “…that you may know the riches of the GLORY of Christ’s inheritance in the saints.” (1:18) What is the essence of this inheritance? It is glory…the glory of God. What does Scripture mean by that? When Moses asked to SEE the glory of God, God made all of His goodness pass before him. Moses saw the indescribable beauty and goodness of God. The believer’s highest good and blessing is not found in the things of earth, but in Christ, who is at the right hand of God, for in HIM dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. So, what is this heritage, this complete inheritance of the believer? It is Christ, in His fullness and power.
In the Old Testament, in Psalm 16, David writes: “The Lord IS the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: You maintain my lot. (v.5) What is he saying? With feet of clay, but with a knowledge of the eternal, David has not only set his sights on that which is heavenly and eternal, but on Someone who is eternal. His experience resembled that of the writer of the letter to the Hebrews: “Looking unto Jesus.” (12:2) When David speaks of his desire to behold the beauty of the Lord (Ps. 37), he speaks of looking at that which is of eternal worth and beauty, and goodness. Christ has become his inheritance, and ours.
There is no doubt that many folk on this earth will receive an inheritance in some form and magnitude when a loved one passes away. This inheritance can usually be measured, and a price set upon it. When we look at Calvary, and the Prince of Life, bearing the judgement for all of our sin, we need to understand that when He said, “….it is finished,” He provided the believer with an incalculable inheritance, the magnitude and longevity of which cannot be measured. In giving Himself as a sacrifice for us, He gave us individually an inheritance, not only of a place that He went to prepare for us, but one consisting primarily of Himself, His person. His eternal call to us, as was the eternal work on the cross, has for its objective to give us LIFE, a life of such magnitude, blessing, and beauty, that cannot be fully grasped or measured on this earth. That LIFE’s highest expression was, is, and ever shall be, the love of God, in it highest and purest form…in Christ Himself, by the Holy Spirit.
Dear Father, as the hymn-writer put it so well, enable us to “catch a glimpse of glory bright.” Spoil us forever by the glimpse of the blessedness of Thy Son, who loved us and gave Himself for us. And give us, even now, to enter into this inheritance which You have given us IN Him, for Your glory and honor. We thank and praise You, in Jesus’ name. Amen,
Love, Dad