You are an Heir

Cameron,
I know it is late, and we have to get up early tomorrow (even though it is Saturday.) But I am just so excited about this that I had to write it now before I go to sleep and forget it. We got to see one of your mommy's heroes tonight - Beth Moore. Her bible studies have really opened my eyes to the wonders of God's word, and this weekend is her conference in San Antonio. And it was so amazing to see all these godly women together, singing the most beautiful music (the praise songs brought me to tears and I loved the hymns too) and diving into what God has to say in the scriptures.

The passage we are focusing on for the weekend is Psalm 16, and she used the English Standard Version. Here is the whole chapter for those that want to read it. Tonight's session really focused on verses 5 & 6:

5 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.
6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

Right now, the word inheritance means a lot of weird things to me. I have received an inheritance when someone in my family passed away, so mostly it means something physical to possess. But this passage is talking about the REAL inheritance that God has prepared for me, waiting on me in heaven (1 Peter 1:4). God redeems us not only to save us from hell and take away our sin, but to restore to us the blessing of being his heir, an heir to a beautiful inheritance!

The wording that refers to this transfer of possesion, this gift to an heir is used in the Bible over 300 times, the first being in Genesis 22 (the blessing of Abraham) and the last in Revelation 21, when God promises that believers will inherit a new heaven and a new earth after his coming. Another interesting thing about this wording is how it was passed from generation to generation in scripture. Joshua (who was given a new name meaning "Jehovah Delivers") reminded the Israelites not to be afraid or doubt because God was giving them the promised land as their lot, their portion to be divided among the tribes. They were given plots of land, and were instructed to be careful to follow God's commands so that they could leave it as an inheritance for their children (1 Chron. 28:8). In verse 20, David tells the Israelites almost those exact same words that Joshua used - "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don't be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you."

I loved this point from Beth - As Christians, we are heirs of God, but if we truly saw ourselves that way we would not deal with ourselves so cheaply. Most people's idea of an heiress is Paris Hilton, for cryin' out loud! But if we truly understood, we would not give ourselves away in such cavalier fashion. We are God's children - co-heirs with Christ! And then she told us three amazing things that means for us.

1. My life is not left to chance. Nothing happens without God knowing or planning to somehow use it for my good.
2. I am inheriting a Kingdom. A real, physical Kingdom where I will finally get to TRULY live in eternity. Not just the floating, dreamy, harp-playing version of heaven, but the real life that this one is only a shadow and a vapor of. This inheritance was prepared for me since the very creation of the world (Matt. 25:34).
3. God is my portion (my inheritance, my everything)... and I am His. Ephesians 1:18 says that we can grow to understand the confident hope that is given to God's holy people, we who are HIS glorious inheritance. He sees us as his wealth, his riches, his treasure. And he waits for the time when we will be fully his to cherish for all eternity.

Cameron, I pray that you will know the joy and power of sharing in Christ's inheritance with me. That you will see what value your life holds - that God would remain your portion, your everything.

Psalm 73:25-26 Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health my fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart and my portion forever.