THE WORD, MINE INHERITANCE

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

We mankind, hunger after power and possessions. We want to inherit gold, to rule over lands. What if this morning, during our devotion time, God would ask us the same question He asked King Solomon, Ask what I shall give thee (2 Chronicles 1:7)? What would we ask for? God doesn’t make empty promises. Like Aladdin’s genie, at that very moment the God who has created the universe, offers to give us whatever our heart desires and commands. As is shown us in the text of 2 Chronicles 1, this question could prove to be a real test of character.

A large sum of money could solve a lot of temporary problems for many of us. Maybe we could ask for healing from a terminal disease. In a time of war, we could also ask for the unconditional protection of our life, or of that of a loved-one. It could also be tempting to ask for an unrequited love to turn around, or for a change in what we consider a “misfortune”. Vengeance over an enemy could be desirable, or their death, or even that of an annoying business competitor.

What is the desire of our heart? God knows it. God already knew the answer that Solomon would give. He was the son of the Psalmist, who though wealthy, esteemed the Word of God his true riches (Psalms 119:111), and presence with the Lord his preferred inheritance (Psalms 23:6).

Are the testimonies of the Lord our preferred inheritance? Do we look for them with more value that for silver and gold (Psalms 119:72) ? If everything were taken away from us, would we feel wealthy just by our ownership of the Word? One day, everything this world offers will be taken from us, and all we’ll have left will be the wealth of Word and related virtues we have stored in our heart; how rich will we feel then?

Psalms 16:5 The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.