‘For you, God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.’ – Ps. 61:5
This post is a little different than most. I simply felt the desire to express some thoughts on the verse above. I do at least a decent amount of Scripture reading, but this particular verse felt a little deeper, personally, than usual. Why? Well, maybe these things to follow.
I find it interesting that “heritage” is penned here. Heritage is something very much centered on tying together the future and the past; one’s “heritage” is both your ancestors and your children. Why that interests me is that this person’s “heritage” is apparently tied to faith, not necessarily physical lineage. For the most part, collectively we take a great deal of importance out of our heritage — this, I think, is justifiable, because it is a source of encouragement, confidence, education, personal growth, goal-forming, etc. What, then, when those things are not just physical but spiritual? Surely this verse is a gifting reminder that all of those things are far greater in God.
But at the same time, while God is our chief source and relationship (as an old pastor of mine consistently reminds, “God is the chief discipler”), this verse makes it clear that community is important. We as believers in God are part of one group; this is nothing new to some of us, but what of the idea that such a group actually has a heritage? Something of immense value to pass on, dwell in, find safety/security/encouragement in? And something that we all will share in and contribute to…whether we do so willingly, aware, and desirably or not? In less than a week’s time from this post, one of my best friends in the world will experience this, as he is moving near my hometown and might now be going to my old hometown church on top of it. Those who have loved me, whom I see as family, now can give that same love to him. He has, practically, immediate standing in the position of blessing God gave me within the community, now that he comes after me. This heritage of God is spectacular, mysterious, and completely grace-bound.
It is not as if everyone in our “family line” will be model examples, or likeable people, or easy to own as family, and it is certainly not that we can hope to be entirely good or bad within the family of God, either. God is the one who loves, adopts and raises us in his family. He is the primary responsible party. But it is true that we do have a greater family than our physical one, people that provide prods to growth or humble guidance, and in every case another opportunity to increase in our ability to love. This should be especially encouraging to those of us who have lost family members, or have no family to speak of, or have no family members willfully taking interest in us, etc. The value of God resides not just in how he relates to us individually, but how he offers, sustains and works through a provision of an entire population, tied together lovingly, for the sake of wholeness.
+MSH
