The Ancient Landmarks

Prov. 22:28

"Do not move the ancient landmark that your fathers have set."

What is the ancient landmark anyway? In the footnote of my Bible it says the landmark was the "boundary stone, and to move it was to steal a man's real property as well as his ancestral heritage." I can see the importance of this concept for land and property especially when livelihood is based on the land, but I think there is a practical application as well. My family has never lived in one area long enough to establish an ancestral land, but nonetheless, we have well-established landmarks in our family. Wherever we are, these landmarks are settled and ongoing.

From the time that I was a small girl, I saw my father serving the Lord. Our family shared in serving too. I remember going to the mission with him. We would stand outside on the street corner and talk to the homeless men and invite them in for a meal and a message. During the service, I would sing about Jesus. Our family always went to church even before my father was the preacher. We were faithful to be there whenever the doors were open because it was the center of our activities. Our home was a fellowship center. I remember missionaries, traveling singing groups, and friends staying with us. They would stay up late sharing and talking about the Lord. I especially loved listening to the missionaries. What unbelievable things they went through! Reading and studying the Word was important in our home too. It was modeled, and I followed that example. I would say that these were the landmarks of our home. Wherever we lived these things never varied. When I grew up and had my family, I kept these same landmarks. They are our family heritage. The neat thing about my family heritage is that it gets richer as it ages. As my relationship with the Lord grows, the ancient landmarks take on even more significance. Praise God that spiritual landmarks are not static! They are dynamic! My boundary stone is the Rock, Jesus Christ. I don't ever have to fear that my stone will be moved because I am His and He is mine!

Father,

Thank you for the heritage of a godly father. Thank you for giving me a family that values the ancient landmarks. Help me ever to uphold You as holy before the people You have put in my life.

In Jesus name,

Amen