The Best Portion

When I was a kid, our church would have dinner on the grounds. I’m our case, that meant the gymnasium. Coming from a family of talkers meant that we were usually at the back of that line. I was always worried that I wouldn’t get something good or I’d get a small portion because that would be all that’s left. To compensate, I learned early on that as we were finally sitting down, the front of the line was finishing their meal. So as soon as I got my plate, I headed for the dessert tables. We may have been last to the food, but I was going to be first to the desserts! I would always look for the best dessert and get the biggest portion.

In Genesis 13, Abraham and his nephew Lot realized their flocks were all the grass and their shepherds had begun to fight over who got dibs on what grass that was left. Abraham then offered Lot a solution. Lot could choose whatever portion of land he wanted and Abraham woul go the opposite way and take that portion. Lot looked at both portions carefully. He choose the one that had lush, green grass and was well watered. He then pitched his tent in the direction of Sodom and Gomorrah. He was looking to the land and city to provide for him. Abraham gave Lot the first choice because he understood that whatever portion he got, God was going to provide. The portion he was dealt wasn’t his source, God was.

Psalm 73 is a psalm of Asaph who learned how to trust and worship God from David. This psalm has a very personal tone and reflects on the blessings of trusting in God. Verse 26 says, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (ESV). The writer understood like Abraham that hard times come and go, and that in the hardest of times, we can’t rely on our own strength or ability to provide for ourselves. God is our strength and provider. It doesn’t matter what Lot you have been handed. Your life could be in the well watered, lush area, perfectly positioned right now or you could be in the desert looking for a blade of grass. Either way, put your hope and your trust in God. He is your portion and it’s the best portion despite what you see with your eyes.

Photo by Nikola Majksner on Unsplash