Has God put something in your heart to do? Do you feel as though He gave you a vision, a Word, or even the blueprints for that something? What does it take for me to see it become a reality? How do I stake my claim and inherit my land?
Psalm 37 speaks of a land that we can inherit and how we are able to inherit that land. Many might believe this refers to heaven, our Promised Land. But for us who are a part of the New Covenant, we have already inherited heaven! So for today, I’d like for you to consider your calling, this vision, Word, or blueprint as your promised land…the place where fulfilling your purpose resides.
Here’s what Psalm 37 tells us about inheriting our land:
Those who put their hope in the Lord.
Psalm 37:9 says, “those who HOPE in the Lord will inherit the land.” Hope is a confident expectation that God will do what He says He will do. We eagerly watch for, or keep an eye out for what He is doing so that we can be a part of it. If you want to see your Promised Land become yours, ask the Holy Spirit to grow within you a lifestyle of HOPE.
Those who are meek. Psalm 37: 11 says, “the meek will inherit the land.” We don’t speak of meekness much in the Church today, but meekness is one of the fruits of the Spirit in the earliest translation of the Bible, and is one of the Beatitudes that Jesus spoke of.
Meekness toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. In the OT, the meek are those wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend against injustice. Thus, meekness toward evil people means knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict, that He is using them to purify His people, and that He will deliver His people in His time (Isa 41:17, Luk 18:1-8). Gentleness or meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest. It stems from trust in God's goodness and control over the situation. The gentle person is not occupied with self at all. This is a work of the Holy Spirit, not of the human will (Gal 5:23). If you want to see your Promised Land become yours, ask the Holy Spirit to grow within you a life of MEEKNESS.
Those the Lord blesses. Psalm 37:22 says, “those the Lord blesses will inherit the land.”Now we see a verse that we might think is not something about us but more about God. It says “those the Lord blesses”. That seems like we don’t have much to do with that one. Yet Psalm 115:13 says, “He will bless those who fear the LORD— small and great alike.”
So we see that we do have a part to play. The Lord blesses those who fear Him. This word “fear” means “to show high respect and honor; a holy reverence; such awe that it is almost terrifying”. God is not to be your “homeboy”; He is to be reverenced and held to the highest place in our lives. Friend? Yes, but SO much more. And those that truly honor Him in this way, those are the ones who are blessed and inherit their land.
Those who turn from evil and do good. Psalm 37:27 says, “turn from evil and do good and you will dwell in the land forever.”
“Turn” means “to reject; to avoid”. Evil of any kind is anything that is in rebellion of the language and actions in heaven. To do good means that your deeds in word and action are beneficial, encouraging, and reminiscent of the Kingdom of Heaven. Those that live in this way will absolutely get their land.
Those who are righteous. Psalm 37:29 says, “the righteous will inherit the land.”
Psalm 5:12 says that “Surely the Lord blesses the righteous; You surround them with your favor as with a shield.”
There it is. The Lord blesses the righteous. Righteousness is to be right with God and others in both conduct and character. To be righteous means that there is nothing in between you and your relationship with God. That you are walking with God in total freedom and obedience, without any obstacles in your relationship. You are doing what is “right” in the eyes of God. That applies also to the people around you. You must seek to be at peace with all mankind. You must so what is “right” in the eyes of God toward your fellow man. So, if you want to see your Promised Land become yours, ask the Holy Spirit to grow within you a life of RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Those who wait. Psalm 37:34 says, “wait for the Lord and keep His ways. He will exalt you to inherit the land.”
To wait means “to twist and to stretch as of a rope; to eagerly anticipate; hope” Waiting is literally hanging onto that little strand of hope! Waiting is prone to cause some twisting emotionally and to stretch your faith! But when we eagerly anticipate with deep expectation that hope, along with our obedience to His Word and His Ways, the Lord promises us that we will inherit our land.
So I leave you asking you the question again: what has God put in your heart to do? And how do you stake your claim and inherit your land?
Psalm 37 lays it out plainly: ask the Holy Spirit to develop these characters in you: be hopeful; be meek; show reverence and deep respect toward God; turn away from evil and do good; live righteous; and wait.
May we all seek to surrender to the Holy Spirit’s help to develop the character in us that attracts the Father to give us that for which He placed in our hearts to do. Lord, make us ready. Amen