Devotionals for the Heart: Letting go of "good" to receive God's best

A Better Inheritance
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

“For we will not inherit with them on the other side of the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance has come to us on this side of the Jordan to the east.” 

–Numbers 32:19 (ESV)

As the people of Israel neared the Promised Land, their thoughts began to turn to claiming their inheritance. Naturally, they had their own ideas about what best suited their needs.

Two tribes, Reuben and Gad, had a particularly large number of flocks. Before entering the Land, they saw a place that was well-suited to these needs. However, it lay on the east of the Jordan, outside of God’s promised inheritance for the entire nation of Israel—a land that already included space for these two tribes.

I can’t help but wonder what lay on the other side of the Jordan River, what parcels of land God had intended for these two tribes, as well as half of the tribe of Manasseh which also ended up settling east of the Jordan. I wonder if they ultimately missed out on something better. They were willing to take what looked good to them, and I’m sure it was good, but what awaited them on the other side of the Jordan? What did some of the other tribes end up enjoying that was originally meant to bless the people of Reuben, Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh?

Naturally, I also wonder, am I settling for something that looks good, or do I long to discover God’s best?

I don’t mean to say that we should sit idly and wait for God’s best, or that blooming where we are planted is bad. But in this life, we know nothing is ever permanent. While serving Him in the circumstances I currently find myself, am I also allowing myself to grow too content? Am I unwilling to consider anything that might disrupt the status quo? Have I decided what my inheritance will be, or am I continuing to seek Him, believing that there may be more He wants to do in and through my life?

Ultimately, it’s not just about allowing Him to direct my path in this life. Do I find such contentment and joy in this life that I forget about the life to come, where we will dwell with Him forever?

As I reflect on these things, I cannot allow myself to feel condemned. He knows that I tend to grow too content with the things around me, and that that carries a risk of complacency. But He is always there, lovingly and gently calling me to more.

Rewards and crowns await all of us in Heaven. We will lay those things back at His feet. Let us press on toward His very best in this life, so that we may have all the more to give back to Him when we see Him face to face.

Let’s Pray: Dear Jesus, I realize that there is always more to be done for Your Kingdom here and now. I pray that You will make my heart both thankful and sensitive: thankful for what You have given me, but not so content that I am unwilling to go farther with You if You call me to do so. Likewise, do not let me become so comfortable in this world that I am tempted to forget about the next. I want all that You have for me, both here and now, and in the life to come. In Your Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “The Best is Yet to Come” by Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

The only child of a single parent, Aubrey Taylor filled her younger years by creating characters and writing stories. This ended around age sixteen when music, friends and part-time jobs began to fill her time. After that came college, work, marriage, and children.

It wasn’t until the world was beginning to come out of the COVID pandemic that God led her back to her love for writing, coupled with a passion she’d always had for history. It was time to start a new adventure! Her current long-term project is Gott Mit Uns, a German-perspective 20th century historical fiction series.

Aubrey lives in Upstate New York with her husband and three children. She’s busy keeping the home, caring for her family, doing research for and writing her books.

Aubrey enjoys music and is involved with the worship ministry at her church as well as a German choral group. She also plays gigs occasionally with friends as a singer and acoustic guitarist. After all that, she finds time to sketch, craft, and hike.

She is a lover of Jesus Christ, The Holy Bible, history, German culture, tea, and cats.

Aubrey has a special heart for those who struggle with severe anxiety, depression and PTSD.

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Connect with Aubrey:
Website: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com
Blog: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aubtaybooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreytaylorbooks/