Given to the Children of the LORD

“¹⁶The heavens are the LORD’s heavens, but the earth he has given to the children of man.” Psalm 115:16 (ESV)

I read this verse this morning and was instantly reminded of that which the LORD has given. He has given the earth and this world to the children of man and to His children, He has give heaven.

But, aren’t we one and the same. I have an earthly and heavenly father. I am a child of man and of the LORD. Shouldn’t I have the benefit of both, the earth and heaven?

Well, whereas it is true that I am of this earth and am a child of God, I am given that to which I have worked to lead a life of. I have the choice to live a life of and for God, or I can choose to live a life of and for this earth. I cannot have both. Even Adam and Eve had a choice to live the life of greatness in the Garden and was given by the LORD or, as they did choose, to live a life of this earth and miss out on that which the LORD had given them.

There is a conflict that I have to get past when it comes to living of/for this earth or of/for God. The conflict is in the reward timing. Yes, when living of/for this earth I may receive reward right now and be able to enjoy the sweetness that comes with it whereas the reward from God comes much later when I arrive in heaven at the appointed time. The thing is, the reward here and now is fleeting. Here today and gone tomorrow. I find myself not satisfied for very long and tend to live for the chance to get more. I am chasing the carrot that seems to always be alluding me. When live of/for the LORD, I know that my reward is to come as given by the LORD and therefore will/can continue looking forward to it and know that I have the opportunity to experience that reward soon enough.

Fifteen minutes of fame or a forever of glory. That is what I am speaking of here. The LORD has given to that which we seek, and our reward is in line with our desire. If I desire the fifteen minutes, God will allow us to have it, but that very well may be where it ends. When we desire the forever glory and live our lives as such, God gives to us that glory in heaven at the appointed time.

Which that the LORD has given are you seeking after? Are you looking to achieve the fifteen minutes? What if your desire were for the forever glory in heaven and proceeded through life bringing glory to God to receive that forever glory?