By: Beuvely Severe
Imagine this, you receive a phone call about an inheritance your great grandfather set aside just for you. Instead of obtaining it immediately, you let a few months and even years pass by before you obtain what was set aside just for you.
Now that the children of Israel had entered and conquered the Promised Land, it was time for land distribution. Some of the tribes had already received their portion. There were seven tribes that had not yet received the portion of land allotted to them. There had to have been some hesitance because Joshua posed this question to the seven tribes, "How long will you put off entering to take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?" Joshua 18:3. Scripture doesn't explicitly tell us why the tribes hesitated to receive their inherited portion, but alluded to the fact that fear, and even intimidation might have played a role. All the Canaanites were not destroyed. But God already promised Abraham that his descendants would inherit the land of Canaan. The territory was already theirs!
The Bible calls us heirs of God, co-heirs with Christ through salvation. An heir is one who has acquired or obtained the portion allotted to them. An heir is an inheritor or a possessor. When referring to the Messiah, an heir is one who receives his allotted possessions by right of sonship.
Romans 8:15 “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Holy Spirit is given as a gift to those who profess their faith in the Son, Jesus. What I love about the Good News is that in Christ you become valuable, and life becomes purposeful. In Christ you are given a new “narrative,” you were “this” and now become, “that”. You were blind now you receive sight. You were deaf and now you can hear. You were lonely and alienated, but now you have God living on the inside! You were poor but now you have become rich.
So, I want to ask you what Joshua asked the seven tribes, “How long will you put off entering to take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?" The birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ has granted you access to the Kingdom of God! You do not have limited access, but full! Your inheritance package includes eternal life; peace, joy, and righteousness; healing; a sound mind; spiritual sight; spiritual gifts; purpose, calling, and an assignment.
How long will you put off obtaining all that is due to you through the finished work of Jesus Christ?
"My choice is you, God, first and only.
And now I find I’m your choice!
You set me up with a house and yard.
And then you made me your heir!"
Psalm 16:5-6 MSG
