August 24: A Heritage from the Lord

 A Heritage from the Lord

Dr. TerryAnn Robinson,
Kings SDA Church

Key Text: Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Psalm 127:3

I have always been interested in my heritage and ancestry. I have been told that my father's side is from Syria, and my mother has a mixture of Indian and other races. My maternal great-grandmother, who lived with us when I was a child, had a full head of white hair. She had one signature hairstyle that I can vividly remember: her silver hair parted in the middle, with two long plaits on either side. I sometimes mimic that hairstyle in remembrance of her, and while I do have the silver, I don't have the length or texture to get the full effect. 

When I reflect on traits passed down through my family lineage, I see some wonderful things. I see hardworking people, problem solvers, helpful, and caring people. But I also see things that I am not proud of. There is deceit, pain, fear, alcoholism, other substance abuse, along with a host of other negative things.

If I focus on my earthly heritage, there is little hope for someone like me. Maybe you are thinking that there is little hope for you too. 

I have some good news. When you accept Jesus, your earthly heritage fades in comparison to your new heritage. You now have a Godly heritage. You take on a new name. The song says, "There is a new name written up in Glory, and it's mine, oh yes, it's mine". 

Sometimes when families merge through marriage or adoption it is difficult for the families to connect. Sometimes persons feel like an outcast even though they are now family. Sometimes a spouse will even refuse to accept their new family as their own.

Have you accepted your heritage? 

I wanted to write this devotional focusing on how to teach our children to value themselves as a heritage of the Lord; however, the Holy Spirit has pointed me in a totally different direction. He showed me that as adults, we need to see ourselves as a heritage of the Lord before we can teach this to our children and the children around us.

We belong to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. After you and I have accepted our status in Christ, then teaching our children to embrace their heritage becomes more than talk; it becomes a lifestyle that they can emulate. 

Sisters, this doesn't come easily. It's a process that requires our commitment, and it involves making choices that cut against our natural inclination. If you and I embrace our heritage in Christ, how would our speech change? How would our dress change? How would our actions change? How would our lives change?

Christ is calling us today to accept our heritage in Jesus. He wants us to be so confident in Him as our father that we do not stoop low in sin. He wants you and me to walk like royalty, talk like royalty, dress like royalty, and live like royalty. 

Once you have accepted your status in Christ, you can teach your children and the children around you to accept their heritage as children of the King. 

I challenge all of us to embrace our heritage in Christ. 

Prayer

Father in heaven, so often we have misrepresented you. Our words, our thoughts, our dress, and our lives have not revealed that we belong to you. Please forgive us. You are calling us today to come up higher. Help us, Lord, to accept our heritage in you. May others see us and know that we belong to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Amen.

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