Psalm 119 Eighth Octave
My mother was a wise business woman and leaving an inheritance for her children was important to her. That legal concept of inheritance begins our eighth octave in Psalm 119:57-64. It’s often translated ‘portion’ as in a divided amount but after meditating on this ‘portion’ of the Psalm I’d like us to think about inheritance.
Verses 57-58, hope you have them in front of you, are declarations made from a believer who loves God and His Word and desires to obey Him. He seeks His face, His presence, and knows that grace will get him through anything. Grace is part of our inheritance. It’s that undeserved favor from God that allows us to be in relationship with Him and share in His promises. What are those promises? Whatever you need. One of God’s names is El Shaddai, which describes the all-powerful and all-sufficient God who loves you; He’s your inheritance or portion.
Scripture guarantees inheritance: the earth (Matt. 5:5), everlasting life (Heb. 9:15), the kingdom of God (Matt. 25:34), His promises and blessings (Heb. 6:12; 1 Peter 3:9), and eventually all things (Rev. 21:7). That’s our portion, our heritage, and it’s acquired by faith.
‘… 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.’ (Acts 26:18 NKJV)
In the remaining verses the Psalmist uses those six vital words to reinforce his commitment to God. I counted thirteen times he used the pronouns I or my; this is personal. These declarations can be personal for us as well if we choose the higher life in Christ. If we choose to hang out with those who pay attention to Him (testimonies and precepts, vs. 59, 63), follow His leading (commandments, vs. 60), obey His teachings (law, vs. 61), honor His decisions (rules, vs.62), and walk in His ways (statutes, vs. 64), then we will receive our inheritance.
Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. (Colossians 3:24 NLT)
Lastly, as New Covenant believers, we can never forget that our heritage includes victory. The prophet Isaiah assures us:
no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.” (Isaiah 54:17 ESV)
As we read these eight verses let’s remember again that God has kingdom living available to His followers. As we learn to walk with Him every day, in His love, mercy, and obedience His inheritance is revealed and He becomes our portion. Make it personal this week, spend time with God in prayer and stay in fellowship with other believers (vs. 63). Enjoy the higher life.
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