A Rich Heritage

Psalm 61

English Standard Version (ESV)

To the choirmaster: with ^(A)stringed instruments. Of David.

61 Hear my cry, O God,
    ^(B)listen to my prayer;
² from the end of the earth I call to you
    when my heart is ^(C)faint.
Lead me to ^(D)the rock
    that is higher than I,
³ for you have been ^(E)my refuge,
    a strong ^(F)tower against the enemy.

⁴ Let me ^(G)dwell in your tent forever!
    Let me take refuge under ^(H)the shelter of your wings!  Selah
⁵ For you, O God, have heard my vows;
    you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

^6 (I)Prolong ^(J)the life of the king;
    may his years endure to all generations!
⁷ May he be enthroned forever before God;
    appoint ^(K)steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!

⁸ So will I ever sing praises to your name,
    as I ^(L)perform my vows day after day.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+61&version=ESV)

I was not born into a home of a much wealth but neither was I born into a home of poverty in terms of finances that is.  However, I was born into a home that had a strong faith in God and was given the opportunity at a young age to make a vow to God, which I did.  In that sense I can very much identify with David when I pray, “You have given me a heritage of those who fear your name” for that I am most thankful.  For what reason was I given the privilege?  He allowed this in order to further the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Just the other day I was reminded of the honor which was bestowed upon me.  A man in our church showed me little bookmark that had my granddads name on it along with another man that had come to our church almost 60 years ago as an evangelist.  He continued to share with us about the other man on that bookmark.  He had been a missionary in another country and had escaped execution by taking a turn towards home rather than the country.  When he came back he had more of a desire to preach the Gospel than he had ever had before and his drive was phenomenal.  This same man, preached at my granddad’s funeral where he preached the Gospel to anyone who had not heard.  That is how fortunate I am to have been born into a family that feared the Lord.  Yet there are many who have not had that privilege and I seem to sometimes take it for granted.

So many times I find myself asking for this and for that just like a rich kid that has gotten everything they have ever wanted in life.  When I don’t get it I become discouraged and downcast, just like David so often seemed to do.  Would you put up with that as a parent?  I think it would be hard for me to handle.  Yet our God gives me the honor to come before Him.  He wants to hear us say that we depend on Him and He loves us in spite of our weakness.  So, I continue to seek Him and to know Him even more deeply than I have before.  Are you seeking Him with all your heart?  Are you pursuing Him?

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila