In our Wednesday night bible study we have been working through the book of Joshua. If you are familiar with Joshua, you will remember that the main theme of the book is the conquest of Canaan where God fulfills His promise to give Israel the “Promised Land.” Yesterday, we were in chapter 13 where the division of the land starts. After many hard fought battles, the people would finally receive their inheritance. With that theme in mind, at the end of our study I posed the question – what is your inheritance?

Some of you will inherit land at some point in your life, but most of us won’t. As you know, life in ancient Israel was much different than our 21^st century lifestyle. Land, back then, was critical for survival. For most people today, the only land they will ever own is the small plot their house sits on. But “inheritance” comes in many different forms. We are given things and stumble upon things all the time. A few years back, Steph and I inherited our TV. Uncle Eddie had just purchased a new flat screen TV and offered to give us his old set, knowing we did not yet own one. For four years now, this “old” TV has served us well.

Sometimes we forget about our most important inheritance as Christians. King David once wrote, “The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance” (Psalm 16:6). In having a relationship with the Lord, David knew he was blessed. Indeed, David had a “beautiful inheritance.” But as per usual, the New Testament sheds more light on this inheritance. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4). This tells us that through faith in Jesus Christ, the Christian has inherited the keys to heaven and the gift of eternal life. No one can ever take that away from a child of the King. It is God’s promise to every believer.

My challenge to you is to not forget the “beautiful inheritance” you have in Christ. You have already tasted the first fruits of God’s bounty upon your life, but that’s just the beginning. The best is yet to come. Live with the hope that the world is not your home and a much better inheritance awaits you. Indeed, we are citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20) and have become partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). Friend, it doesn’t get any better than that!