by Paul Chappell

## Friday, Sep 22, 2017
“That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”

## Ephesians 1:12–14

In his novel Bleak House, Charles Dickens described the state of the legal system in England with its long delays and the impact that had on citizens seeking justice. Dickens told of the lengthy case of a contested estate, Jarndyce and Jarndyce, that took many years to settle. Many doubted it would ever end. Dickens wrote “Over for good! When we heard this unaccountable answer, we looked at one another quite lost in amazement. Could it be possible that the will had set things right at last, and that Richard and Ada were going to be rich? It seemed too good to be true. Alas, it was!” By the conclusion of the long drawn out case, all of the money in the estate had been eaten away by legal fees, and Richard never saw a dime of the money that was left for him.

An earthly inheritance may be lost due to fraud, the passage of time, or economic calamity, but what has been promised to us as children of God can never be taken away. As a sign of God’s intention to fulfill His promises, He has given us the Holy Spirit as a down payment—earnest money—on what we will one day receive. Often, executors of earthly estates are required to post a bond that guarantees they will faithfully perform their duties. God has given us something far better than a financial guarantee. He has given us the indwelling Holy Spirit who will never leave or forsake us.

## Today’s Growth Principle: 
Every promise of God to you is completely certain, and you can never lose what He has declared you will inherit.