Friends,
It occurred to me the other day that I have been diligently praying for God's gifts. That doesn't sound like a bad thing to pray for, does it? We know that every good gift comes from our Lord, and He certainly desires to bless His people.
Nevertheless, I came to conviction after reading a passage from Matthew Henry's commentary regarding inheritance. He referred to this verse from Paul's letter to the church at Rome:
and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
Romans 8:17 [NKJV]
Almighty God gives provision and gifts to all creation. He makes the rain to fall on the believers and the unbelievers. Generally speaking, Christians and heathen enjoy health, wealth and prosperity to largely the same degree across the world. Of course, there are exceptions, but to focus on God's gifts misses a larger and more important issue.
The Father reserves His inheritance for His children. When we die, my wife and I will leave our modest estate to our children and grandchildren, not to our friends, our co-workers or the next-door neighbor. In the same way, the great blessing of His Kingdom is left not to the world to inherit, but to the family of God. And that is my new prayer. Heavenly Father, cause Your people to desire the inheritance which You have ordained for us. Grant to us the vision of Your Kingdom, that it will advance across this world and be established according to Your perfect will.
Amen and amen.
Be encouraged, Jose
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