Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35-39)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter:1-9)
After many great conquests by God's people led by Moses and Joshua (conquering entire lands and dispossessing mighty kings, and giving their lands as an inheritance to the children of God,) the Lord still had this to say to Joshua in his old age: "You are old, advanced in years, and there remains very much land yet to be possessed." (Joshua 13:1)
Caleb was forty years old when Moses (at the commandment of God) sent him and eleven others to spy out the land of Canaan. It was a good and fruitful land; the cities were fortified and very large, and giants (descendants of Anak) were there. Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, "Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it." (Numbers 13:30) The men who had gone up with him said, "We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we." (Numbers 13:31). They considered themselves grasshoppers in their own sight and in the sight of the giants. (Numbers 13:32 & 33)
Caleb at the age of eighty five and still strong, reminded Joshua of the promise Moses made to him concerning an inheritance he was to receive for wholly following the Lord. And so, Joshua blessed him and gave Hebron to Caleb as an inheritance. (Joshua 14:6-15)
Arise faith and prayer warriors! Experience the power of God and the joy of His salvation from day to day. Take possession of all that Christ has wrought for us. He has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises. (2 Peter 1:3 & 4)
We have an eternal inheritance. Having believed the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation, we have been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:13 & 14)
Amen.
Having heard that the Lord had provided aid for His people at home, Naomi prepared to return to Bethlehem with her two daughters-in-law, but she later urged them to return to their families. Orpah did, but Ruth said, "Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me." (Ruth 1:16-17)
