Portion

Your words…

The Lord told Aaron, “You will not have an inheritance in their land; there will be no portion among them for you. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites.”  Numbers 18:20
Lord, You are my portion and my cup of blessing; You hold my future. Psalm 16:5
I say: The Lord is my portion; therefore, I will put my hope in Him.  Lamentations 3:24

My words…

Praise
God, in Your wisdom, You allocated specific regions of land to each of the tribes of Israel…except one. The Levites were not given a land inheritance to pass along to their children and their children’s children. They were to live among the other family tribes and lead them in worship and guide them through Your law. And it was enough for the Levites that they had no earthly inheritance, for You gave them one that is imperishable, one that cannot be destroyed by war, gambled away, or lost to a money-lender. Their inheritance was I am – You! They did not spend their time tilling, sowing, and reaping. They spent their time with You, with Your law, for that is what they treasured and passed down to their children. And now, generations upon generations have passed away, but Your claim to be a portion remains, and it is offered to everyone. And so I praise You for giving Yourself as my portion, my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You hold my future, and You have provided a secure place for me to lay my hope.
Prayer for me
I dwell on the future too much. With You as my portion, my future is well in hand – Your hand. Remind me, Lord, that with You as my portion, I must live as Your heir each day, not wasting time and energy on what will be, but doing Your will where I am – today.
Forgive me
Forgive me when I succumb to believing the lie that You are just too big to know, too great to understand. I have asked You to impart to me the meaning of these verses, the understanding of what it means to have You as my portion. Then I say to myself, “This is a difficult passage. I will never fully grasp what it means.” Forgive my impatience. Forgive my prideful spirit.
Thank You
Just as You provided Aaron and his family with everything they needed, so You provide for me. I thank You that I have never gone hungry, never gone without shelter or clothing. I have enjoyed years of bounty, good health, and happiness. I deserve none of it. It is the pleasure You have bestowed on me, Your child. I offer my inadequate words of thankfulness and pray Your Spirit will gild them with purest gold and make them worthy to come before Your throne.
More praise
Lord, You are the cup where I pour my praise. You are made of perfect love. It gushes from You like a fountain, and covers the earth. It covers me. Praise to You, Lord, my portion!