The phrase “land of the living” appears in several places in the Bible, most notably in Psalm 142:5 which reads: “I cry to you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.'” This verse gives us insight into the meaning of this term and how God relates to it.
The Land of the Living Refers to Life on Earth
The “land of the living” is contrasted with the realm of the dead like Sheol or the grave (Psalm 88:10-12). It refers to the realm of life here on earth as we experience it in our mortal bodies. The land of the living is where people commune with God, worship Him, live out their earthly lives and call upon Him for deliverance and refuge.
The Psalmist calls it “the land of the living” to emphasize that this earthly life is where we truly experience living in relationship with God. This mortal existence is not merely a gloomy waiting room for the glories of eternal life, but rather the arena where God interacts with us and we with Him.
God is Our Portion in the Land of the Living
For the child of God, the Lord Himself is our portion or inheritance during our earthly life. A portion refers to an allotment of land given to the tribes of Israel when they entered Canaan (Joshua 14:1-2). Note how the Levites were told “The Lord is their inheritance” (Deuteronomy 18:2) in lieu of land.
Likewise, God Himself is the portion of every believer while we inhabit the “land of the living.” He is our supreme inheritance. Other things in this life may be fleeting, but God is our divine, eternal portion.
The Psalmist proclaimed “You are my portion” amid lament and crying out to God for refuge. Despite distress, God’s presence was consolation enough.ELLOWSHIP WITH GOD IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING
We Experience Intimate Fellowship with God in the Land of the Living
Our relationship with God is not just in the future, but a present reality we can experience now in the land of the living. We do not have to wait for heaven to walk with God.
In the Old Testament, the land of Canaan represented the land of the living where Israel enjoyed God’s blessings. Today, believers in Jesus live in an even greater realm of intimacy with God by the Spirit. We can experience the beauty of His presence each day through prayer, worship, meditating on His word, and walking in fellowship with other believers.
We Walk by Faith, Not Sight, in This Land
In the land of the living, we must live by faith in the promises of God, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Things are not always as they seem. We often endure illness, grief, relational turmoil and injustice. But we believe God is working out His purposes in all things.
We trust Him to use every circumstance for our good, although it is often difficult to see. Our time on earth requires faith that the unseen hand of God is upon us. One day the veil will be pulled back and we will comprehend His workings, but for now we must trust the God of our portion.
God Disciplines and Refines Us in This Land
The land of the living is where God accomplishes His sanctifying purposes in our lives. He disciplines us for our good here as beloved children, not waiting for heaven to make us holy (Hebrews 12:3-11). Our life here is training ground for righteousness.
Sometimes His loving corrections hurt as He cuts away all that hinders Christlikeness. But it produces peace and righteousness when yielded to. Therefore, we submit to God’s loving hands in this land, for He is constantly refining and perfecting us here on earth.
We Bear Fruit for His Kingdom Now
Our life on earth provides opportunities to multiply what God has given us. He expects fruitfulness from His people in the land of the living, not just in heaven. We must serve Him faithfully now with what He has entrusted to us (Matthew 25:14-30).
There are spiritual gifts to employ, ministries to engage in, resources to steward, relationships to nurture and maintain. These are cultivated in the land of the living, not the life to come. We honor God by bearing fruit to advance His kingdom prior to heaven.
We Prepare for Our Eternal Home While Here
Our time in the land of the living prepares us for the glories of heaven. How we live now determines our experience of eternity (Matthew 6:19-21, Luke 16:10-12). As we uses things wisely here, we lay up treasure there.
Cultivating godly virtues and dying to sin sets the trajectory of increasing Christlikeness forever. Additionally, multitudes will be in heaven because of our gospel witness on earth. Living with an eternal perspective impacts our time here.
We Manifest God’s Life Through Us in This Land
Paul spoke of the life of Jesus being manifest in our mortal flesh (2 Corinthians 4:10-11). God displays His life through our weakness. Our natural life ebbs away for the resurrection life of Christ in us to shine brighter here and now.
This land is not only about us experiencing God’s presence, but about the light and glory of God emanating through our lives. As the Spirit empowers and renews us, His life radiates brilliantly through our earthen vessels. Allow God’s portion in you to overflow to others now.
Our Experience With God Here Impacts our Eternal State
How we walk with God in this life influences our experience of heaven. Jesus spoke much about heavenly rewards and the relationship between faithfulness over a few things on earth to being granted charge over many things in heaven (Matthew 25:14-30, Luke 19:11-27).
The intimate knowledge of God we cultivate on earth continues into eternity. We will reign with Christ and engage in the feasting, exploring, dreaming, serving, and adventure of eternity based on our progression with Him here and now.
Living in Light of Our Portion in God
1. Thank Him for the Privilege of Knowing Him Here
Do not take for granted the amazing reality that the eternal God opens Himself up to us here in the land of the living. Thank Him for the precious access, fellowship, and experiences with Him we can enjoy during our earthly sojourn. Worship Him for being our life and portion.
2. Seek His Kingdom First
Since God Himself is our portion, we can confidently lay down earthly idols and agendas that hinder intimacy with Him. Pursuing Him as our all-satisfying treasure enables us to seek first His kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:33). We can let goods go if we grasp our Great Good.
3. Hope in Him Through Every Trial
When you undergo hardship, heartache, confusion, or injustice, remember the Lord Himself is your portion in the land of the living. Nothing can separate you from His triumphant love. He will walk with you through every fiery trial. Fix your hope on Him.
4. Walk in Wisdom Toward Those Without God
Since this life prepares people for eternity, we are called to walk in wisdom toward unbelievers, making the most of our time here (Colossians 4:5). Pray for divine openings to provoke hunger for God. Let your life and testimony point to the One who alone satisfies.
5. Lay Up Treasures in Heaven
In light of eternity, we are challenged to live purposefully now, redeeming time, multiplying resources, growing in Christlikeness, and serving God’s kingdom wholeheartedly. These decisions determine our eternal rewards. Lay up treasure in heaven while living in the land of the living.
Our life on earth takes on powerful new meaning when we grasp that the living God Himself is our portion in this land. He walks with us, communing with us. Therefore, we can trust Him, love and serve Him wholeheartedly until the day we enter the greater promise of His presence in eternity. To our bountiful God be all the glory!