Num 18:20
“Then the Lord said to Aaron: "You shall have no inheritance in their land, nor shall you have any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the children of Israel.”
When Israel entered the land of promise and divided up the land among the tribes, clans, and families of Israel, God commanded them not to give the priests and Levites any land. God said He would be their portion of land and their inheritance. Land during this time was very important to people. It was their means of livelihood, their place of security, their savings program, retirement, and the inheritance for their children for generations to come. In fact, they were not allowed to sell their land. It was the family’s security for generations.
But while everyone else was getting land and security for their family, God did not allow the priests to own land because He was to be their land, their livelihood, their place of security, their savings and retirement plan, and their inheritance for generations to come. Today, we live in perilous times when people are losing their jobs, homes, and pension plans. Our world economy is rocking and reeling, and no one is really sure what the future holds for us. But as the people of this world desperately try to hold on to what they have, God declares over you and me that “I am your portion and your inheritance.”
I Peter 2:9 says “you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” God has chosen you and me to be His royal priesthood, holy nation, and special people in the world today. We are distinct from the rest of the world because our security is not in our jobs, our land, our homes, our savings, our retirement plan, or inheritance for our children. God Himself is our portion and our inheritance. The God of the universe who rules over all things, who has all power in His hands is our security. The God who clothes the lilies of the field and feeds the birds of the air is our provider. The God who does not change and is not affected by political and economic climate is our portion.
God has called us to be a distinct people not only to be our inheritance and portion, but that in the midst of this economic and political chaos “that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” It is in the midst of the darkness, confusion, hopelessness and chaos that we can shine the brightest. But we can only shine if God is truly our portion and our inheritance. As a royal priesthood we represent God to the world, and we intercede for the world before God.
Whatever challenges, uncertainties, or fears you may be facing, make God your portion and your inheritance today. In doing so, may “your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Andy Clark
No comments:
Post a Comment