A few weeks ago, lazily enjoying a
final summer trip with my family, I received an unexpected call with somewhat
expected news. My mom’s dad, “Appy,” passed away at the age of ninety-seven. Joy
and sorrow mingled in quiet tears. My grandfather was no longer restricted by the slow deterioration of his mind and
body that had quietly reduced his days to eating and sleeping. No longer in
pain. No longer an Alzheimer’s patient. Best of all, he is with my mother in
heaven. That’s a glorious reunion I would love to have witnessed! So much over
which to rejoice!
My sadness is for the loss of a great
man of God. A connection to my mother. A warm smile, genuine embrace, and voice
of love, encouragement, guidance, and affirmation. When you read this, I’ll be
in Oregon at his service. Considering what to say, my thoughts naturally
wandered through my life and memories, resting clearly on our lineage. Not the
embroidered or painted family tree hanging in the hall with photos of the
greats and their greats. Rather, the lineage of grace. The branch that leads to
heaven, where family is forever.
With the exception of the first four
months of my life, I have lived between six and thirteen hundred miles from my
extended family. Sadly, we didn’t share birthdays, holidays, and the every day
of daily life. At the most, we saw each other once a year. Less as we grew
older. Thankfully, distance didn’t stop the Lord from using Appy to tell “to
the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and His strength and His
wonderful works that He has done... (making God’s testimony and law) known…that
the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that
they may arise and declare them to their children, that they may set their hope
in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments” (Psalm
78:4-7).
God’s testimonies were the rejoicing
of Appy’s heart (Psalm 119:11). He loved the word of God, and he saw Psalm
103:17-18 come true in his family: “The mercy of the LORD is from everlasting
to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children's
children, to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His
commandments to do them.”
We don’t take anything with us when we
die, and the material possessions we leave behind mean little in light of the
void left by the one they represent. I experienced this truth first hand as I
wandered my mother’s house after her death. None of her things mattered when
all I wanted was another moment with her, and what I value most is the living
inheritance my mother left. The spiritual heritage instilled in her by my
grandmother and Appy.
Psalm 37:18 tells us, “The LORD knows
the days of the upright, and their inheritance
shall be forever.” Appy left behind the ultimate, eternal inheritance. One that
rust and moths cannot destroy, thieves cannot steal, governments cannot
squander, stock markets cannot threaten. No fire, flood, storm, natural or
economic disaster can take away this priceless gift. My heart echoes the praise
of 1 Peter 1:3-5: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through
the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible
and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are
kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in
the last time.”
Because of his love for Jesus, Appy’s “net
worth” passed to his children’s children in the form of salvation. Like Paul,
God used Appy “to open (our) eyes, in order to turn (us) from darkness to
light, and from the power of Satan to God, that (we) may receive forgiveness of
sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in (Jesus)” (Acts
26:15-18, pronoun changes mine).
Jesus is our portion. He is our inherited
wealth. He is the birthright Appy passed to us. Because of him and my
grandmother, and through my mother, my children were born with a royal
pedigree: children of children of the King of Kings and Most High God. Jesus is
now their heritage, too.
Phooey on houses, cars, jewelry, bank
accounts, and the like when you can enjoy:
·
Forgiveness of sins (Acts 26:18)
·
The Holy Spirit as a guarantee of eternal life
in heaven (Ephesians 1:13-14)
·
Peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7)
·
A spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge
of Jesus (Ephesians 1:17)
·
Power (Ephesians 1:19)
·
Spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:11-12)
·
Wisdom given generously and without rebuke
(James 1:5)
·
Strength in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9)
·
Love and discernment (Philippians 1:9)
·
Angelic protection (Psalm 91:11-12)
·
Sanctification (Hebrews 13:12)
·
Hope (Colossians 1:27)
·
A plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11)
·
Righteousness you don’t earn or deserve (Philippians
3:9)
·
Mercy (Luke 1:78)
·
Grace (Acts 15:11)
·
Abundant life (John 10:10)
·
Freedom from worry (Luke 12:29)
·
Provision (Luke 12:31)
I assure you my list falls short of
capturing the fullness of this inheritance, but it’s a start. And to top it all
off, Isaiah 54:17 tells us, “’No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and
every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the
heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me,’ says
the LORD.”
What we do and pursue will be the true
inheritance we leave our descendents. Are you amassing the wealth of the world
to the detriment of eternal riches? Or are you storing up treasures in heaven
(Matthew 6:19-20)?
What’s your spiritual inheritance? Are
you grafted into God’s family tree, adopted by grace through faith in His Son
Jesus Christ? Have you received “forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among
those who are sanctified by faith in (Jesus)” (Acts 26:18)?
Maybe no one left you a godly
heritage. Start one. The bloodline of Jesus is available to all who place their
faith solely in Him. Be the one to establish an inheritance for your children
and their children’s children.
It’s not too late. As long as you’re
breathing, it’s never too late.
“O LORD, You are the portion of my
inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in
pleasant places; yes, I have a good inheritance. I will bless the LORD who has
given me counsel; my heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set
the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in
hope. For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One
to see corruption. You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is
fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:5-11).
May Jesus be the inheritance we leave
not only to our children but also to those around us as we become more wholly
His today.
Shauna Wallace
Holy His
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