An old American folk song was entitled, "This Land Is Your Land". The basic message is true, but in ways the writer probably never imagined.
"Sojourn in this land and I will be with you and bless you, for to you and to your descendants I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath which I swore to your father Abraham. I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, and will give your descendants all these lands; and by your descendants all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; because Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes and My laws." (Genesis 26:3-5)
Abraham's son, Isaac, was clearly told by God that "this land is your land". The modern-day land of Israel would be the inheritance of Abraham's innumerable descendants, and all the earth would be blessed through them. And all this because Abraham was a man of faith and obedience.
People of faith in Christ - regardless of ethnicity or nationality - are those descendants. Galatians 3:29 is a rich promise: "if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise." Thus, Israel - indeed, the whole earth - is ours to inherit one day. "This land is your land".
Amidst the territorial wars and greedy land acquisition, it's easy to forget that we ultimately get it all. When the last war is fought, and the last drop of blood shed, the meek will step forward to inherit the earth under the authority of King Jesus.
When you consider your destiny, what does that do for your perspective on life's issues and challenges today? Nothing more powerfully frames life than this ultimate outcome. And, it's imperative that nothing deter us from the pathway that leads to this destiny.
It's much too easy to "major in minors" as we live out our lives. Socio-political reform and action usurp efforts to evangelize and make disciples. We try, as someone has said, "to clean up the fish pond", rather than to fish for men.
One of the most helpful guiding verses for me has been this: "No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier." (2 Timothy 2:4) Our ultimate allegiance is to the One who will rule the land we expect to inherit, and the agenda of this commanding officer is all that matters.
This land IS your land. May we serve well under the leadership of our King and Commander this day.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
"Sojourn in this land and I will be with you and bless you, for to you and to your descendants I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath which I swore to your father Abraham. I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, and will give your descendants all these lands; and by your descendants all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; because Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes and My laws." (Genesis 26:3-5)
Abraham's son, Isaac, was clearly told by God that "this land is your land". The modern-day land of Israel would be the inheritance of Abraham's innumerable descendants, and all the earth would be blessed through them. And all this because Abraham was a man of faith and obedience.
People of faith in Christ - regardless of ethnicity or nationality - are those descendants. Galatians 3:29 is a rich promise: "if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise." Thus, Israel - indeed, the whole earth - is ours to inherit one day. "This land is your land".
Amidst the territorial wars and greedy land acquisition, it's easy to forget that we ultimately get it all. When the last war is fought, and the last drop of blood shed, the meek will step forward to inherit the earth under the authority of King Jesus.
When you consider your destiny, what does that do for your perspective on life's issues and challenges today? Nothing more powerfully frames life than this ultimate outcome. And, it's imperative that nothing deter us from the pathway that leads to this destiny.
It's much too easy to "major in minors" as we live out our lives. Socio-political reform and action usurp efforts to evangelize and make disciples. We try, as someone has said, "to clean up the fish pond", rather than to fish for men.
One of the most helpful guiding verses for me has been this: "No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier." (2 Timothy 2:4) Our ultimate allegiance is to the One who will rule the land we expect to inherit, and the agenda of this commanding officer is all that matters.
This land IS your land. May we serve well under the leadership of our King and Commander this day.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
posted by steve @ 9:01 AM
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