May 17: His Inheritance

For if we would judge ourselves, then we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are being chastened by the Lord that we may not be condemned with the world. 1 Corinthians 11:31-32

Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O LORD, and teach out of Your law. Psalm 94:12

If I adopt an attitude of self-pity upon suffering the natural consequences of poor decisions, I have entered onto Satan’s territory. Self-pity is of the devil, and his immediate goal is to trap me into feelings of resentment toward God. On the other hand, if I allow my suffering to point me back to Him who is the Creator of an absolutely perfect world, then I am reminded of His plan to recreate it after sin has been eradicated.

Affliction will not rise up a second time. Nahum 1:9b

The grace of Yahweh allows for righteous judgement to proceed in stages. Each of us is invited to participate! A healthy self-examination, in light of the written Word, launches a judgement process whereby we are graciously given opportunity to come into agreement with our beloved Commander-in-Chief. Because our fallen human nature has a strong tendency toward procrastination, He permits trying circumstances that have a way of speeding up the development of our characters. A powerful example:

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If you are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Luke 23:39-41

Recognition of getting what we deserve, (and we indeed justly!) is a giant leap toward getting what we do not deserve, namely eternal life with Jesus in the new heaven and new earth. It is interesting that the unrepentant thief began his demand with nearly identical words as Satan when he addressed Jesus in the wilderness: “If You are the Son of God…” (see Matthew 4:3, Luke 4:3)

Coming into a saving relationship with our Creator means agreeing with Him that I am guilty of breaking His perfect law of love, accepting the sacrifice of His sinless Son in my place (a full payment for my disobedience), and receiving His Holy Spirit that I may actively pursue the safe and narrow path of righteousness. In sending Jesus on the mission to earth, Yahweh demonstrated that He is 100% merciful and 100% just. By His Holy Spirit He continues to fulfill the role of the Good Shepherd while securing His own inheritance. Beloved, you and I are His inheritance! He has invested Himself totally in creating each of us and redeeming each of us from the gravitational pull of ungodly, destructive influences. Heaven will be peopled with joyful, law-abiding citizens who want to be there!

Save Your people, And bless Your inheritance; Shepherd them also, and bear them up forever. Psalm 28:9