as a heritage forever

Posted : 25 Jun, 2013 02:11 AM

Psalm 119:111. Your testimonies have I taken as an heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart.





'Precious Bible: what a treasure!' The testimonies of God-the

declaration of his will in doctrine-obligation-and privilege!

David had felt their value, as the stay of his soul in shaking

and sifting trial. But how did he claim his interest in them? Not

by purchase, or by merit, it was his heritage. As a child of

Abraham, he was an "heir according to promise." They-all that

is contained in them, "the Lord Himself," the sum and

substance of all, "was the portion of his inheritance." Man

looks at his heritage. 'This land-this estate-or this kingdom is

mine.' The child of God looks round on the universe-on both

worlds-on God Himself with His infinite perfections- and says,

"All things are mine." My title is more sure than to any earthly

heritage. Every promise is sprinkled with "the blood of the

everlasting covenant," as the seal of its blessings, and the

pledge of their performance.

But not only are they my heritage;-by my own intelligent

choice I have taken them to be so. A blessing is it to have

them. But the blessing of blessings is to have them made

good-applied-sealed-made my own; so that, like the minor

come to age, I take possession of my heritage, I live on it, I

live in it, it is my treasure, my portion. If a man is known by his

heritage, let me be known by mine. Let it "be known and read

of all men," that I count not the world my happiness, but that I

take my Bible, 'Here is my heritage. Here I can live royally richer upon bare promises than all the treasures of earth could

make me. My resources never fail when all besides fail. When all earthly heritage shall have passed away, mine endures

forever.'

Let me not then entertain a low estimate of this precious

heritage. "Heirs of promise" are entitled to "strong

consolation." What belongs to a "joint-heir with Christ,"

interested in the unchanging love of Jehovah from eternity,

but the language of triumphant exultation? The first view, as it

passed before my eyes, was the rejoicing of my heart; and

never could I be satisfied, until I had taken it as my soul satisfying and eternal portion.

Need we then entreat you, believer, to show to the world, that

the promises of your heritage are not an empty sound-that

they impart a Divine reality of support and enjoyment-and that

an interest in them habitually realized is a blessed, a heavenly

portion? Should your heart, however, at any time be

captivated by the transient prospect before your eyes: should

you be led to imagine some substantial value in this world's

treasures-you will have forgotten the peculiar preeminence of

your heritage-its enduring character. But what are the gaudy

follies-the glittering emptiness of this passing scene, in

comparison with your heavenly prospects, or even of your

present sources of enjoyment!

We can readily account for the affecting indifference with

which "the men of the world" barter away these treasures, as

Esau did his birthright, for very trifles. They have no present

interest in them. "They have their portion in this life. They

have received their consolation." But, oh! how soon, having

spent their all, will they "begin to be in" infinite, eternal "want!"

Yet, having no interest in this heavenly heritage, they can

have no pleasure in surveying it. If, therefore, conscience

imposes upon them the drudgery of casting their careless eye

over it, what wonder if they should find nothing to enliven their

hopes, or to attract their hearts? What communion can worldly hearts hold with this heavenly treasure? What spiritual light,

as the source of heavenly comfort, can penetrate this dark

recess? As well might the inhabitant of the subterranean

cavern expect the cheerful light of the sun, as the man, whose

eyes and heart are in the center of the earth, enjoy the

spiritual perception of an interest in the heritage of the people

of God. If, however, the darkness and difficulties of the word

are pleaded in excuse for ignorance; let those indolent triflers

confess, how small a portion of that persevering devotedness,

which has been employed in gathering together the perishing

stores of this world, has been given to search into this hidden

mine of unsearchable riches!

O my soul, if I can lay claim to this blessed heritage, I envy

not the miser his gold! Rather would I adore that grace, which

has "made me to differ" from him; and given me a far happier

and far richer heritage. But let me be daily enriching myself

from this imperishable store; so that, poor as I am in myself,

and seeming to "have nothing," I may in reality be "possessing

all things." Let the recollection of the rich heritage of light,

comfort, peace, and strength, furnished in the word, be my

abundant joy: and bind my heart to a closer adherence to its

obligations, and to a more habitual apprehension of its

privileges.



by

Charles Bridges

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