My Portion...

Portion

(Merriam Webster dictionary)

1 : an individual's part or share of something: as

a : a share received by gift or inheritance

b : dowry

Isn't it interesting how different passages in Scripture can be more meaningful at certain times or seasons in our lives? God is gracious to us in that regard. His Word is living and active and sharper than any two edged sword! Here is a most recent example...

Last Friday morning, I read Psalm 73 as a part of my Bible reading plan. The night before, I had hosted my first neighborhood women's book club where we discussed A Walk Across the Sun by Corban Addison. We also watched a 30 minute documentary called Not My Life (www.notmylife.org). The topic of both was that of modern day slavery. Needless to say, it wasn't a very 'cheerful' book discussion. Despite the heaviness of the material, it was still enjoyable and hopeful.

In God's providence and grace, Psalm 73 was the scheduled text for Friday. It was a perfect reading for me that next morning for a couple of reasons. First, the beginning 15 verses are confessions from the psalmist about his own struggle over despair and envy in the face of great evil. Instead of running from God, the psalmist ran to God...

"But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end." (vv. 16-17)

Wading through a book centered on the subject of modern day slavery and listening to stories of human trafficking survivors on a documentary spotlighting its prevalence can be a a bit overwhelming, as well as a temptation to despair. However, as a reminder...

Despair is a greater sin than any other sin that provokes it.

- C.S. Lewis (Screwtape Letters)

There is hope. The God of all creation is a God of both justice and mercy. Just like another favorite passage of mine from Psalms reads,

"O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more." (Psalm 10:17-18)

God hears. God is not a distant Ruler reigning from some black hole somewhere in the cosmos. No, our Creator God is intimately involved. God has acted, is acting and will act. He will have the final word. How has God revealed his justice and mercy? These particular attributes of God are revealed all throughout Scripture (both Old and New Testaments or covenants) particularly in the light of His holiness. Simply put, His holiness demands justice. We must begin with ourselves. Our sinfulness and rebellious nature (first displayed through our parents, Adam & Eve in the Garden) are in contradiction to God's character and deserve annihilation. That is what we deserve. That is what I deserve, to be sure. But God displayed his mercy on the cross of Christ Jesus and offers us reconciliation. We must repent and receive.

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved - .....For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-9)

To return to my initial text, this concept, this reality of God being my portion forever is not only mind blowing, but also perspective changing. One day, God will make all sad things come untrue. Therefore, in the meantime, we must remember that

"we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)

We have a beautiful inheritance, but we also have a job to do.

"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

We have been adopted by God as sons and daughter. The work that we are called and privileged to join our Abba Father in (seeking justice, correcting oppression, proclaiming Jesus) cannot be sustained in our own strength. God does not leave us as orphans. He gives us His power through the Holy Spirit to walk in His ways... to become like Him until that glorious day when we see Him as He is.

That is the good news of the gospel. Christ died for our sins and in Him is forgiveness. There is redemption. There is hope. There is a future.

"For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come." (Hebrews 13:14)

To bring it all back around again, that is how Psalm 73 first encouraged me last Friday morning. It reminded me that there is hope in the face of evil because of the character and holiness of our God.

Secondly, Psalm 73:26 spoke directly as a reminder to some health challenges I am dealing with right now. As you know, I had surgery slightly over 7 weeks ago to remove a uterine fibroid tumor. That went smoothly and that specific recovery has gone well. Everything in that 'department' looks good. However, it seems to have brought to light some other issue. There is no diagnosis yet, but I'm hopeful that my appointment with a general surgeon this Friday will shed particular light on the issue. My "self-diagnosis" at present is a hernia. If that is the case, then it will likely mean another surgery. All of this information is premature, but nonetheless, I'd appreciate prayer for healing and resolution. In the meantime, God has and continues to remind me that He is my Rock, my Strength and my Portion. What encouragement that is!

"My heart and my flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

What a gift!

Some glimpses of God's grace these past several weeks...

Victoria turned 10 years old!!!