Inheritance, Right, and Memorial

Nehemiah is one of my Bible heroes.  Talk about a guy who was completely devoted to God, unshakable in faith, was fearless in obedience and speech, a prayer warrior, kept others accountable to God, and a hard-core straight-shooter.  He was a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes and God moved Nehemiah to lead the Jews in rebuilding the wall surrounding Jerusalem.  If I had to pick a guy I admire most in the O.T., it would likely be Nehemiah.  Thankfully I don't have to pick one!

When Nehemiah began the building the walls of Jerusalem, not everyone was pleased about this development.  Though he had the approval and financial backing of King Artaxerxes and God moved upon many Jews to put their backs to the work, Sanballat and Tobiah among others despised that any would seek the welfare of the Jews.  Throughout the book of Nehemiah we see them scheming and trying every possible way to distract, threaten, or place fear in the hearts of the Jews.  When they laughed scornfully at Nehemiah for his efforts, he says this to them in Neh. 2:20:  "...The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no heritage or right or memorial in Jerusalem."

Nehemiah knew his efforts alone would amount to nothing, but God would cause His servants to prosper and prevail though their enemies threatened them.  But the part of the statement which jumped off the page to me is the second half.  If a statement is true, then the exact opposite is also true.  Nehemiah was inferring in his statement to Sanballat and Tobiah that he had a heritage, a right, and a memorial in Jerusalem.  The word "heritage" is translated from "allotment, or inheritance."  Jerusalem was the place where God placed His name, and directed King David and Solomon his son in the building of the temple there.  For this reason the children of Israel had a right to Jerusalem:  a right to build, inhabit, protect, and worship according to God's will and commands.  Every sacrifice offered was a "memorial" before the Lord, and the Jews had a rich history of worship in Jerusalem.

I immediately began to think of the spiritual application for those who rest in the New Covenant of Christ's blood and have been born again by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Followers of Christ are now the Temple of the Holy Spirit and we have a heritage, right, and memorial by the grace of God.  The worship of God no longer confined by geography or a dot on a map:  Christians are blessed to be able to come before God's throne room of grace with Christ as Mediator and Intercessor at any time, from any place.  God is seeking those who will worship Him in Spirit and in truth.

Christians have an eternal inheritance in the heavens which does not wax old or fade away.  Jesus spoke to Paul in Acts 26:17-18:  "I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, [18] to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me."  All have a right to Christ because He has said, "Whosoever will."  God loved all people so much He sent His only Son so whoever believes in Him will not perish but receive eternal life.  Christians receive righteousness imputed through faith.  1 Cor. 1:30-31:  "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption-- [31] that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord."  The prayers of Christians rise as a memorial before God.  Cornelius had a vision during which an angel of God spoke to him:  Acts 10:4 says, "...Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God."  It is through Christ and the grace of God we have an inheritance, righteousness, and a memorial before God.

Let us refuse to be cheated of our rights as children of God by scorn, intimidation tactics, or attacks of the enemy!  We do not claim our rights out of selfish ambition, but we stand upon the firm promises of God.  As Christians we must receive what God has given and choose to abide in Christ.  May His boldness, courage, and zeal rest upon us to fulfill our calling for His glory.