There are some phrases that come up often in Christianese (that secret language spoken by believers). One of those phrases is “but God is my portion”. Usually, we use that phrase when we’re trying to remind ourselves that we have a good deal even though we don’t feel like it.
But what do we really mean by that phrase? More importantly, how do we get to the point when we start to live as if God is our portion?
What Does the Word Portion Mean?
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Before we dive into this concept, let’s look at what the word portion means. The Oxford Dictionary defines portion as “part of a whole” which in general refers to something that has been shared out. So are we saying then that something has been allotted or given to us? Sounds interesting, but let’s dig a little deeper.
A more archaic definition of the word portion is “a person’s lot or destiny”. Now, this sounds interesting, when we say God is our portion are we saying He is our destiny?
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What does it mean for God to be your portion?
If we truly want to understand the meaning of God is my portion, we must look at the word “portion” in Hebrew.The word translated as portion in our English Bibles is the Hebrew word chêleq (pronounced khay’lek). It could also have been translated as inheritance or allotment. If we are going to fully unpack the meaning of this phrase, we will need to revisit the history of Israel.
You may be familiar with the story of Abraham whom God called away from his people in Genesis 12 and told him that he would become a great nation (Genesis 12:1-3).
For a long time, this great nation did not exist, and when they finally came into existence, they had no country to call their own.
The nation of Israel flourished in the time of Joseph and beyond while they dwelled in Egypt (Exodus 1:1-7).A cursory reading of the Bible will prove that Egypt was not the Promised Land. But even when the Israelites had nothing, they had God. He was their inheritance.
We usually think of an inheritance as something that passes from one person to the next on the event of the first person’s death, but in this case, the Israelites had a living inheritance. They had a promise–something they could look forward to and hold on to. Jamaicans would say, “you could take that to the bank”.
The cool thing is that not only did God give the Israelites a legacy, He also calls them the people of His inheritance.
And take heed, lest you lift your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them, which the Lord your God has given to all the peoples under the whole heaven as a heritage. But the Lord has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be His people, an inheritance, as you are this day (Deuteronomy 4:19-20 NKJV).
No other nation on earth could claim they had a God who had chosen them. No other nation could claim they had been set apart as priests of the Almighty God.
What is God’s Portion?
God’s portion is a promise. He had promised the Israelites that He would give them a land flowing with milk and honey. He kept His word and they occupied the land (not without some fits and starts) after He delivered them from bondage in Egypt.
But what does that have to do with us? Nothing. We were not promised a physical inheritance here on earth, but we were promised a reward in heaven and in the earth made new.
The Bible is rich with the promise of redemption from Genesis to Revelation. We are reminded that God is our portion over and over. God has promised to save us from our sins and will reward us for our faithfulness when His Son returns.
Why We Struggle to Believe that God Is Our Portion
Have you ever noticed how it seems as though the persons who don’t serve God are more blessed than those who do? You could have this deep, intimate relationship with your Creator, going where He leads and doing what He asks, and still struggle to pay your bills every month.
But the man who’s at the bar from sundown to sun up flourishes.Sometimes it seems like we’re playing opposites: that man owns a slightly used car while you can’t afford to miss the staff bus because your budget doesn’t include fare to work.
He owns a newly-built house while you’re still living at home with your parents.It just doesn’t seem fair!
Humanity seems to have an intrinsic need–post-sin–to compare ourselves to each other. We saw Cain becoming angry when his offering did not receive the same approval as his brother’s (Genesis 4:4-5).
Jacob envied his brother Esau for his birthright (Genesis 29:25-33).
Even the disciples of Christ scrabbled over who would be the greatest among them (Luke 22:24).
I believe Psalm 73 perfectly verbalizes the struggle we feel when we see unbelievers prosper while we fail to thrive. (I encourage you to take a few minutes to read or listen to this psalm).
Asaph found himself envying the boastful man and looking at the prosperity of the wicked. It seemed to him as though the wicked men had lives that were calm and peaceful and that they had more than they could ever want.
They were able to scoff at God (Psalm 73:11) with seemingly little or no consequences while he, a man who pursued God with his whole heart, was constantly being chastened by the Lord (Psalm 73:13).
I know how that feels, don’t you? It seems as if those who flaunt their distaste for God are the ones who flourish and do well, while the faithful struggle to survive.
Reasons We Can Celebrate that God Is Our Portion
But there’s a lot more to this story than meets the eye. The Lord is my portion–this is not something we should say when we’re trying to console ourselves about what we may or may not have. It’s a reason to celebrate. Here are 5 reasons we should celebrate that the Lord is our portion.
1. God’s timing is perfect and He is good to them that wait patiently.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him (Lamentations 3:24-25 ESV).
It may seem as if God is not working because we don’t always know or understand what He does, but God has a plan. God’s plan will be fulfilled at the right time. In the meantime, all we have to do is continue to have faith in Him and believe that He knows what He’s doing.
2. The wicked will reap their reward.
It may seem as though the ungodly are thriving while the righteous perish, but there will come a time when each man is rewarded (or punished) for the choices he made in this life.
The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself (Ezekiel 18:20 ESV).
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil (2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV).
I don’t know about you, but I want to be on the right side when Jesus comes. I’d hate to be one of the people who hear those horrible words, “Depart from Me, I never knew you” (Matthew 7:21-23).
3. God is always with us.
One of the reasons we get so perplexed by the thought of our struggles here on earth is because we feel as if no one can understand what we’re going through. Worse, it feels as if we’re going through the struggle all by ourselves. God knows we don’t do alone well.
If you look at the story of creation, you’ll notice there was only one occasion of God saying something was not good and that was regarding Adam’s single status (Genesis 2:18). That’s why He has promised never to leave us alone.
Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You hold me by my right hand.
You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory. Psalm 73:23-24 NKJV)(Video) Hebrews 12 (Part 4) :18-29 • A Kingdom that cannot be shakenFear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10 ESV).
I’ve always loved the image of God’s righteous right hand. For me, it means He’s giving us the best of the best. If God is giving you His very best, what more could you need?
4. God will supply all your needs.
It sounds like a fairytale, doesn’t it? I can see you looking around and thinking about all the things you don’t have, of all the things you need, or think you need and you wonder if God is really supplying your needs. I’ve been there. I still have those moments sometimes.
But you want to know something? In those times when I’m able to focus fully on God all my earthly needs vanish. I forget to think about what I don’t have and instead focus on who God is.
Just think, God knows you so intimately He has numbered every hair on your head. I doubt that’s a project you’d undertake any time soon. Yet, this is what your Creator says about you. I think someone who loves you that much has your very best interest at heart, and because He does, He will give you everything that you need.
I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread (Psalm 37:25 KJV).
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19 ESV).
A word of warning about this promise, God will give you what He knows you need, not what you believe you need. And His agenda has eternity in mind so He looks at things differently than you do.
5. God will always be enough.
While this is similar to the reason above, it is so much more. To begin to understand what I mean, let’s look at some of the things the Bible says about God the Father, Jesus, His Son, and the Holy Spirit. God is our:
- Comforter (2 Corinthians 1:3)
- Healer (Exodus 15:26)
- Provider (Genesis 22:14)
- Redeemer (Isaiah 47:4)
- Friend (John 15:15)
- Father (Psalm 103:13)
- Priest (Hebrews 4:14)
- Advocate (1 John 2:1)
- Helper (Psalm 54:4)
- Counselor (Isaiah 9:6)
- Teacher (Psalm 25:12)
- Guide (Isaiah 30:21)
There are so many other things God does for us. I encourage you to take some time to search the Scripture for yourself to identify some of the other attributes and traits of God. God is our portion. He is everything we will ever need.
A Prayer for When We Forget God Is Our Portion
Lord, sometimes I get distracted by the lifestyles of those around me. It seems as though the people who curse You and choose not to worship You are the ones who have the most in this life.
Remind me, Lord, that You are my portion. If I remain faithful, You will be my portion forever. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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FAQs
5 Inspiring Reasons to Celebrate that God Is Our Portion - Hebrews 12 Endurance? ›
“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
What does Hebrews Scripture say about endurance? ›“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
What does it mean that God is your portion? ›In other versions of the bible, “portion” is translated as “inheritance.” When these writers say the Lord is their portion, they mean that he is their allotment, their inheritance, their source of security, and in this case, hope.
What is the message of Hebrews 12? ›Hebrews 12 gives one of the most glorious looks at Jesus Christ in all of Scripture. As we run the race of our lives, we must run with our heads up and our eyes focused on Christ. If we are to run the life of faith, we resist the distractions and look deeply into His eyes.
What are the five qualities or nature of God? ›Each of them ascribes to God a pair of properties from the following list of divine attributes: (a) perfect, (b) immutable, (c) transcendent, (d) nonphysical, (e) omniscient, (f) omnipresent, (g) personal, (h) free, (i) all-loving, (j) all-just, (k) all-merciful, and (1) the creator of the universe.
What are the five qualities of God that mankind should demonstrate? ›Since God is All, the cause and foundation of man and the universe, let us consider the attributes of Him who is fully expressed by man, by the true selfhood of you and me. It is commonly accepted that God's attributes are wisdom, mercy, love, justice, and truth.
What is the importance of endurance in God? ›Endurance means rightly handling God's Word; that's very, very important that God's Word is our wisdom; it is our guide. Endurance means I want to be an honorable vessel; I don't want my life to get in the way of what God has called His people to be. It means being ready for every good work.
What does God's endurance mean? ›The definition of spiritual endurance (or “steadfast endurance”) is this: the power to withstand hardship or stress; especially the inward fortitude necessary.
What is an example of endurance in the Bible? ›Paul was imprisoned over and over again, beaten, shipwrecked and more and he still chose to praise God and continue his work. Jesus, of course, is the ultimate example of endurance. He did nothing wrong and still went through adversity, pain, and hardship…all for us.
What Scriptures say about God's portion? ›Hear it, beginning in Psalm 119 verse 57: “The LORD is my portion; I promise to keep your words. I entreat your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.
What does Jesus mean by good portion? ›
Choosing the good portion requires consistently aligning and realigning our hearts to the greatest commandment to love him first. It means to seek his kingdom first, all the while laying down our burdens (Matthew 22:37; 6:33; 11:28).
What verse is the Lord is my strength portion? ›Psalm 73:26 King James Version (KJV)
My flesh and my heart faileth: But God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
Nobody should refuse to let God help them. Make sure that nobody among you causes trouble so that people turn against God. A person who is angry against God is like poison. He spoils many other people's lives so that God does not accept them.
What is the lesson of Hebrews 12 29? ›For not only does God the Son come in His holiness and destroy all those who are not His; Jesus will also fulfil His holy love by burning off all that sin which continues to hang and lay on us!
What is the lesson of Hebrews 12 15? ›looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; This verse is a warning to those not flourishing in the grace of God. Reversionism will cause a person to stagnate in Christian living.
What are the 4 qualities of God? ›- Omnipotence.
- Omnipresence.
- Omnibenevolence.
- Omniscience.
God's incommunicable characteristics are important to understand because they can help us define how God is different from us and from creation. For instance, God is omnipresent, omniscient and self-existent.
What are the 4 divine attributes of God? ›necessary existence (God exists, and could not fail to exist), aseity (God's existence does not depend on anything else; God is uncaused), immutability (God does not change), and. eternal or everlasting existence (God exists at all times or outside of time).
What are the characteristics of God according to the Bible? ›Another characteristic of God is that “God is love.” (1 John 4:8, NIV) He is also gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love and faithfulness (Exodus 34:6). God the Father committed history's most powerful act of love by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to live among us, die for us, and forgive us.
What are the importance of attributes of God? ›The all-important distinction between God's essential attributes and his relational ones is the key to understanding how God can understand our suffering and at the same time be able to rescue us from it. God's eternity and his immutability are necessary for us to have assurance of our salvation.
What attributes of God that you experience in your life? ›
God is giving and gracious, he is compassionate and merciful. He is our Father to whom we can cry Abba Daddy. He is with us always, and his promises are powerful, giving peace and strength for our days. He is our refuge, our strong tower — He is our hope in every storm.
What are 3 benefits of endurance? ›Endurance exercises improve the health of your heart, lungs, and circulatory system. They also can delay or prevent many diseases that are common in older adults such as diabetes, colon and breast cancers, heart disease, and others. Physical activities that build endurance include: Brisk walking or jogging.
What does endurance teach us? ›Perseverance, confidence, patience, how we push through adversity – these are the non-tangible strengths, the evidence that build you into a better human being, and help you live a better life. The physical and mental health benefits of exercise have long been researched, studied, and documented.
What is the Bible verse with the God of endurance in it? ›May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
What is the power of endurance of faith? ›Hebrews 10:36 “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.” This is such an important point to have driven into our brains. Without faith and the endurance it produces.
Who is the God of endurance? ›In verse 5, Paul calls your Lord “the God of endurance.” This title really gets at the center of where your hope is to be found. Let me state it plainly: your hope is not to be found in your willingness and ability to endure, but in God's unshakable, enduring commitment to never turn from his work of grace.
What are five example of endurance? ›Also called aerobic exercise, endurance exercise includes activities that increase your breathing and heart rate such as walking, jogging, swimming, biking and jumping rope. Endurance activity keeps your heart, lungs and circulatory system healthy and improves your overall fitness.
What is a real life example of endurance? ›There are many other real-life instances when you need your muscles to function well for a long time — like holding a small child as you rock them to sleep or walking up and down stairs carrying groceries. Muscle endurance is the ability for muscles to exert force repetitively over a certain period of time.
What is endurance with two examples? ›We can define endurance as the ability to continue to endure a stress, hardship or level of suffering. In sport, endurance is the ability to sustain a specific activity (endurance running, cycling, swimming, rowing, cross-country skiing etc) for a prolonged period.
What is the Hebrew word for portion? ›Noun – ketel pattern, masculine. Root: ח - ל - ק
What is love with Bible portion? ›
1 Corinthians 13:4-5: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
What Bible portions are responsibility? ›For example, we are to be responsible for the way we act toward others (Luke 10:30-37). We are responsible for the way we treat our families (1 Timothy 5:8). We are responsible to study God's Word (2 Timothy 2:15). And we are responsible for the way we handle money (Hebrews 13:5).
What is the quality of serving God? ›Serving God means making him real in the things, and in the different ways, we conduct ourselves. While it is true that we are saved by faith and not by works, so that no one can boast, as what the Apostle Paul says, true faith cannot help but translate itself into good action.
What Bible portion is divine help? ›Psalm 121: 1-2 “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My HELP COMETH FROM THE LORD which Made Heaven and Earth”. IN elementary science, we are told that we cannot do any piece of work without energy.
What does not my portion mean? ›Not my portion can be said when things are. not going well or temptation is coming your. way coz there is power on a spoken words.
When God takes us from strength to strength? ›They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. Look upon our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one. Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
Where does my strength come from my strength comes from the Lord? ›Psalms 121:1-2 MSG
I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from GOD, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.
LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me.
Why did Paul write Hebrews 12? ›Paul wrote the Epistle to the Hebrews to encourage Jewish members of the Church to maintain their faith in Jesus Christ and not to return to their former ways (see Hebrews 10:32–38).
What is the lesson of Hebrews 12 1 11? ›We must subject ourselves to God. That means that we must accept correction from Him, and submit ourselves to His authority from our hearts. This whole passage shows us clearly one aspect of our relationship with God. Yes, Jesus called His disciples friends.
What are the messages on Hebrews 12 1? ›
Hebrews 12:1 In-Context
Strip down, start running - and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. 2 Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in.
For the sake of the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame. The phrase despising the shame simply means that Jesus endured great shame, but ignored it. If we despise something, we give it no regard.
What does it mean to have a clean heart before God? ›It means having an undivided loyalty to God - loving Him above all else. This kind of love comes from a clean heart that has been transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
What is the lesson from Hebrews? ›You Are Not Alone. A common theme throughout Hebrews is the reminder that, even in moments when things seem most dark, you do not struggle alone.
What is the meaning of Hebrews 12 11 15? ›Hebrews 12:11-15 Meaning and Commentary
In this chapter the apostle presses to a constant exercise of faith and patience, amidst the various afflictions the saints are exercised with; delivers out several exhortations useful in the Christian life; and shows the difference between the legal and Gospel dispensations.
12 – “BECAUSE the word of God is living and active . . .” So let me summarize. The goal is to enter God's rest. The goal is to receive salvation and peace and joy and confidence of eternal life and forgiveness of sins.
What does Blessed is the one who endures all kinds of trials mean? ›Those who are rewarded must be qualified to receive the reward; they must be approved by an authority, a judge. In this case, what God promises to approve is a man who perseveres under trial. That is why the man who perseveres under trial is blessed.
What are the different types of holiness? ›The founder of the Methodist movement, John Wesley, said there are two types of holiness, personal holiness, which is growing your personal relationship with God, and social holiness, which is showing love to others through caring for their physical needs.
What are the four paths of holiness? ›The four are the Stream-enterer, Once-returner, Non-returner and the Arahant. In the Visuddhimagga the five stages are the culmination of the seven purifications. The descriptions are elaborated and harmonized, giving the same sequence of purifications before attaining each of the four paths and fruits.
What are the stages of holiness? ›There are three basic stages of the spiritual life (holiness), called the Purgative, Illuminative, and Unitive Ways.
What are the different paths to holiness? ›
The Bible rather consistently lays out three ways walked by the man or woman of holiness: finding the center, knowing you're a sinner, and realizing your life is not about you. All of these are beautifully presented in the story of the call of Simon.
What are the three acts of holiness? ›These examples of God's holiness purifying impure things all lead up to Jesus—God's holiness in human flesh. Jesus heals the sick, raises the dead, and casts out demons. All of these acts are examples of God's holiness purifying the things it comes into contact with.
How do you live a holiness life? ›In an effort to live a holy live, it means that we should be deliberate in being distinct from those who do not know Christ. Our God is different from all so-called other Gods, therefore we must live according to His will and give Him glory. It was God's original plan for his creation to be like Him.
Who is the perfect example of holiness? ›God has revealed His holiness to us through Jesus. Jesus lived a perfect, sinless, holy and blameless life in the form of man's flesh. This is the example of holiness we are to follow.
What are the 4 major manifestations of the Holy Spirit? ›Thomas Aquinas says that four of these gifts (wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and counsel) direct the intellect, while the other three gifts (fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord) direct the will toward God.
What are 4 spiritual practices? ›The practice of spiritual disciplines for personal spiritual growth includes Bible study, prayer, meditation, and fasting.
What is the three fold path to holiness? ›' He lays out three intriguing paths to holiness: Finding the Center; Knowing You're A Sinner; and Realizing Your Life is Not About You. He also provides practical approaches to enhance your journey along these three paths.
How to live in holiness according to the Bible? ›1 Peter 1:13-25 calls all people of faith to live a life of holiness. Literally, holy living means that the Christian lives a life that is set apart, reserved to give glory to God. It is a life of discipline, focus, and attention to matters of righteous living.
What are the roots of holiness? ›The main roots of the Holiness movement are as follows: The Reformation itself, with its emphasis on salvation by grace through faith alone. Puritanism in 17th-century England and its transplantation to America with its emphasis on adherence to the Bible and the right to dissent from the established church.
What does holiness believe? ›It represents a fundamentalist religion that believes in Christ's resurrection, truth in the scriptures, justification, sanctification, baptism of the Holy Ghost, divine healing, and the premillennial return of Christ to earth.
What are the 7 Habits of Holy apostolic People? ›
The seven daily habits are the Morning Offering, Spir- itual Reading, the Rosary, Holy Communion, Mental Prayer, the Angelus, and Examination of Conscience. These are essential means for achieving holiness.
How to become holy according to the Bible? ›If you want to be faithful to the scriptures, pray for holiness. Ask God to help you to be holy. Confess your sin to God and ask Him to forgive you. Then ask Him to cleanse you from all unrighteousness, and submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit.