My Portion

I have been meditating on one of my favorite passages of Scripture for several days now........Lamentations 3. Today I came to a verse that though I have read it over and over through the years, I realized that I didn't really understand what one word really means. It read this way: "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him." (verse 24).

What is portion? I know what a portion of the pie is or a portion of money. Sounds like I am teaching my kids fractions. I even looked it up in the American Dictionary, but, of course, that was really little help in seeking to understand the significance of a word in Scripture. It told me that it was "an allotment." Okay, I can understand an allotment. And I love it that God is my allotment in life, but still hollow, unclear and disappointing.

So off I went to read Matthew Henry on this passage. What a difference when the Holy Spirit opens your eyes (or Matthew Henry's) to better understand and explain a passage. Granted, this is again man's mere words, but it helped me grasp a bit better this verse AND to fall in love with this verse that I just read past to get to my favorite ones. Here is what Matthew Henry said about this one verse:


"1) When I have lost all I have in world, liberty and livelihood, and almost
life itself, yet I have not lost my interest in God. Portions on earth are perishing
things, but God is portion forever.

2) While I have an interest in God, therein I have enough; I have that which is sufficient to counterbalance all my troubles and make up all my losses. Whatever we are robbed of, our portion is safe.

3) This is that which I depend upon and rest satisfied with; therefore, I will hope in Him, when all other supports and encouragements fail me. Note, it is our duty to make God the portion of our souls and then to make use of Him as our portion and to take the comfort of it in the midst of our lamentations."

Wow! With all that has gone on in our lives over the past 2 months, this was such a comfort! This word that has never meant very much to me has become dear to my heart. So today I will chew on "The Lord is my portion" and it will make me smile. I will ask God to help me "rest satisfied" with Him. Isn't that what we all long for? Rest and satisfaction? There is only place to truly find it.......in our Portion, the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am also so convicted by the statement, "While I have an interest in God, therein I have enough." Is that true of my life? Is that how I live? Is that what other people see in me? No, sadly, I have to say that lately I have shown fear, anxiety and questioning to the events in my life. I know the true things of God in my head, but living them out in the midst of "my lamentations" has been a different story.

As Logan Carr shared this weekend, I was convicted that if I had been worshipping, I would not have become anxious. If I had been spending time engaging my heart, soul and mind on Him, then I would be clinging to Him, not worrying about the circumstances in which I find myself. I would even be thanking Him for them since He has orchestrated them for my good, to conform me to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Thank You, Father, that You are my portion. You are all I need. You are all satisfying and bring rest to my soul in my midst of troubles even if you don't bring rest to my troubles. Thank You, Abba, for making me one of Your own, for caring enough for my growth in You that You plan circumstances to stretch my faith. Thank You for Your faithfulness in the midst of my faithlessness. Thank You that You remember that we are but dust and for your constant forgiveness. May I grow in the way I honor You in the midst of trials and "lamentations." You are my Portion......make it so about me, Lord Jesus.