Claim Your Inheritance!

Daily Reading: Ephesians 1

Scripture Focus: In him we have obtained an inheritance... (Ephesians 1.11)

Devotional Thought: Have you ever received an inheritance? Many of us have. Some of us have inherited things we just as soon would not have! But, in Jesus, we have an inheritance that we can enjoy forever and ever! According to Ephesians 1...

• Our inheritance is not accidental, but purposeful. "Obtained" here actually means we have been "chosen by lot..." According to the "counsel of his will" (v. 11), we have been chosen to receive this inheritance. I have ministered to families whose inheritance came about rather randomly - according to the courts and the statutes in effect. I have also ministered to those whose inheritance was purposeful and clear. That kind is by far the best to deal with!

• Our inheritance must be claimed. Paul said that we have "heard... and believed... the message" (v. 13). An inheritance on the books is worthless. It is not until the heir claims it that it changes hands from the estate to the heir. God wants us to claim our inheritance in Jesus!

• Wait, there's more!

  • Our inheritance is certain. It is "sealed and guaranteed..." (vv. 13-14).

  • Our inheritance brings honor to God. It is to the "Praise of his glory" (vv. 12, 14).

  • Our inheritance waits. It will be there "until we acquire possession of it..." (v. 14).

"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)

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for my inheritance: eternal life. Help me to claim it and live with the assurance that it shall be mine forever and ever in Jesus. Amen!

Psalm of the Day: 1 Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting. 2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. 3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. 4 He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. 5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. 6 The LORD lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground. 7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre! 8 He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills. 9 He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry. 10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, 11 but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. (Psalms 147:1-11)