The Lord Is My Portion
BRD REFLECTIONS:
Deuteronomy 18 and Psalm 122 (NIV)
(Lim Bi Xiu, CM PTM)
READ:
Deuteronomy 18:1-2 (ESV): The Levitical priests, all the tribe of Levi, shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They shall eat the LORD’s food offerings as their inheritance. They shall have no inheritance among their brothers; the LORD is their inheritance, as he promised them.
Deuteronomy 18:4 (ESV): The firstfruits of your grain, of your wine and of your oil, and the first fleece of your sheep, you shall give him [the priest].
OBSERVE:
The Lord had apportioned the land to each tribe, except for the Levites. The Levites were chosen to stand and minister in the name of the Lord, therefore the Lord promised that He would be their inheritance. He then commanded the Israelites to give the first harvest of their crops to the Levitical priests when they arrived at the promised land, and not keep it for themselves or their families. The first harvest is usually the best, and God made clear that they should dedicate the best to God, to remind them that the promised land is from Him, and all of creation belongs to God.
APPLY:
This passage shows me that God is the one who gives to each his portion, and his role. He will fulfill His promise and take care of everyone, even the one who is not promised any inheritance. It seems unfathomable to conventional wisdom how someone with no inheritance of land can survive, especially in a time when people were dependent on agriculture. But God’s ways are so much higher than we can ever imagine in our finite minds. Though without land, the Levites received the best of the grain and agricultural products! We just need to obey God and trust in His ways.
I have been out of the marketplace and in some form of full-time ministry since 2015. I have been earning much less than my peers, and even had years where there was no income. Yet the Lord has never failed me, He has been so faithful and gracious. However, every now and then I entertain unhealthy thoughts, looking at the things of the world that glitter and shine, making comparisons with my peers. These passages remind me to focus on my portion from the Lord; to remember that what He has promised, He will fulfill, in ways I can never imagine.
DO:
Whenever I catch myself feeling anxious worrying about the future, I can choose to be content with what I have, and rest confidently knowing that God knows what I need even before I ask Him (Matthew 6:8). I am to pray continually, remembering His faithfulness, and leaning on Him in obedience.
PRAY:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for watching over me all these years. Help me to never forget how faithful and gracious You have been. You take better care of me than I ever could. I want to keep my eyes on You and to learn more and more what it means to be satisfied in You. Lord, You alone are my portion and my cup, and I will be secure in You.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
