Do I have an inheritance?

Does the Bible say God will show us favor?

We read the bible and hear about “promises of God”. Do you ever read or hear bible verses like these and wonder how or even IF they apply to you?

Isaiah 61:5 – Strangers will stand and pasture your flocks, And foreigners will be your farmers and your vinedressers.
6 But you will be called the priests of the LORD; You will be spoken of as ministers of our God. You will eat the wealth of nations, And in their riches you will boast.
7 Instead of your shame you will have a double portion, And instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion. Therefore they will possess a double portion in their land, Everlasting joy will be theirs.

There are may bible teachers who would say verses like these were written TO you – but not ABOUT you.

What do you think?

Let’s consider the life of David. David was pursued by a mad and jealous King Saul. Instead of building up Israel, King Saul wasted most of his time chasing David through the hills. David, however, respected God’s anointed king and despite several opportunities, refused to harm Saul.

Finally the Philistines gathered for a huge battle against the Israelites. By that time Samuel had died. King Saul was desperate, so he consulted a medium and told her to raise Samuel’s spirit from the dead. Whatever appeared–a demon disguised as Samuel or Samuel’s true spirit sent by God–it predicted disaster for Saul. In the battle, King Saul and the army of Israel were overrun. Saul committed suicide. His sons were killed by the enemy (this paragraph reprinted from “AboutReligion, by Jack Zavada”). Saul left his legacy in ruins and his family disgraced.

The disgrace and humiliation of Saul continued to plague his family for generations. One of Saul’s grandchildren, Mephebosheth, a son of Jonathan, is an example. Mephebosheth suffered not only from his grandfather’s disgrace but suffered as a cripple. Mephibosheth, when he was just five years old, was dropped by his nurse while fleeing and Mephibosheth was crippled for life.

Life had dealt Mephibosheth a crushing blow. His defeated attitude and low self esteem is relfected in 2 Samuel 9 when King David called for him:

3 “The king said, “Is there not yet anyone of the house of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of God?” And Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is crippled in both feet.”
4 So the king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel in Lo-debar.”
5 Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar.
6 Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and prostrated himself. And David said, “Mephibosheth.” And he said, “Here is your servant!”
7 David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show kindness to you for the sake of your father Jonathan, and will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul; and you shall eat at my table regularly.”
8 Again he prostrated himself and said, “What is your servant, that you should regard a dead dog like me?”

Do you or I ever feel like life has been unfair or put you at a disadvantage? Are you suffering physically? Have you been embarassed or humiliated by anything from your past or from your family’s past? Or maybe you feel like you just aren’t smart enough, or good looking enough or that your family has failed you?

The Bible tells us that God will not leave you alone. God’s intention is to bring you into His Royal family. Read again what God put on King David’s heart about Mephibosheth and many in Saul’s family:

2 Samuel 9:7 “David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show kindness to you for the sake of your father Jonathan, and will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul; and you shall eat at my table regularly.”
8 Again he prostrated himself and said, “What is your servant, that you should regard a dead dog like me?”
9 ¶ Then the king called Saul’s servant Ziba and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s grandson.
10 “You and your sons and your servants shall cultivate the land for him, and you shall bring in the produce so that your master’s grandson may have food; nevertheless Mephibosheth your master’s grandson shall eat at my table regularly.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
11 Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant so your servant will do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table as one of the king’s sons.
12 Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Mica. And all who lived in the house of Ziba were servants to Mephibosheth.
13 So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate at the king’s table regularly. Now (even though) he was (still) lame in both feet.”

Never give up on God. Never give up in life. Know that God’s Word promises us that we belong to Him and are of His Household. Remember the example of David and Mephibosheth. You and I, too, can eat at the King’s table, regularly.