https://odb.org/2025/08/01/inherit-the-land
Psalm 37:5-11 NIV – Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. 7 Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. 8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. 9 For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. 10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. 11 But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.
In the Old Testament, with little knowledge of the afterlife, the Israelites’ concept of God’s justice is very much here on earth. Thus, in their view, evildoers will be punished or destroyed while the meek (righteous) will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity. God will make their righteous reward shine like the dawn (Psalm 37:6 above). Invariably, prosperity equates the blessings of God and righteousness.
The reality is that as a nation, they did experience God’s justice and protection over the years. For example, their delivery out of slavery in Egypt to Canaan. Or Joshua’s and later David’s victories in their battles against the surrounding tribes and nations. But as an individual living in those times, it was a different story as God’s justice and protection sometimes transcends a few generations. Everyone who was 20 years old above died in the wilderness and didn’t enter the Promised Land to enjoy of its flowing milk, and honey is another example.
After Jesus came, He redeemed mankind by His blood shed on the cross of Calvary. Now we know that as much as the Kingdom of God is where His believers are here on earth, there will be a day when His redeemed righteous saints will receive their just rewards. Now we know there is a concept of Eden recreated as revealed to John in Revelation 21.
Yet, as we believe that the nation of Israel of ancient times is a picture of our spiritual life as an individual in Christ, we seek God’s justice and protection while still living in our earthly vessels. Thus, as much as we know we are pilgrims passing through this world on the way to our eternal destiny, we still seek justice, providence and blessings from God for ourselves, our loved ones and our fellow believers. By God’s grace and will, if we live till we are 80, it is still a long time here on earth. In fact, a day can be a long time if we are waiting.
The message this morning is that life can and may be unfair to some of us. But often, what’s fair or not can also be relative. The LORD may or may not intervene on our behalf. He has His timing, His plans and purposes, and He is sovereign. But know that if we keep to the righteous path and fight the good fight and keep our faith until the very end, we will have our just rewards. What happens to those who had wronged us, leave them to God and His mercy, grace, and compassion.
2 Timothy 4 – 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
1 Timothy 6 – 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Have a good weekend, everyone, and have a wonderful time communing with God this Sunday in worship and humble adoration!
Ronnie's Thoughts 