November 13
How God is the Believer's Portion
The Christian's Daily Treasury"The Lord is my portion, saith my soul." — Lamentations 3:24.
ALL earthly schemes of happiness are like the broken moonbeams on the surface of the troubled waters; but religion stands like a firm and majestic rock, defying the rage of the elements, and courting the sunshine of heaven on its lofty summit. Having noticed the nature of the believer's portion, let us view
THE MANNER IN WHICH HE BECOMES POSSESSED OF IT.
By sovereign choice. God is the portion of his people, by the free and unmerited donation of himself, in the councils of peace, from eternity. The Father saw man, in his lost and ruined condition; the violated law demanded satisfaction; offended justice cried for vengeance; truth said, Strike; but mercy said, Spare. The Son came forward, and entered into an engagement to become our surety. The Spirit was witness to the deed. Had it not been for these provisions of love, man had never enjoyed God as his portion.
By adopting mercy. Men are by nature the children of Satan, alienated from God; but, being regenerated by grace, they are adopted into the family of heaven. "If children, then heirs." This change is produced not by the application of water on the face, but by the infusion of grace into the soul.
By union to Christ. In the period of conversion, this spiritual union takes place. "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature." Christ takes hold of the soul by his Spirit, and the soul lays hold on Christ by faith.
By experimental enjoyment. It is not the knowledge of the head, but the experience of the heart, we want to make us happy. If God is our portion, we shall enjoy him and delight in him. The mere professor of religion exclaims with the tongue, "The Lord is my portion;" but the Christian alone can adopt the language of the text, "The Lord is my portion, saith my soul." We have seen the Christian's lot: now in what does the unbeliever's portion consist? Not in God, for you are living without him:
"Your hope and portion lie below, 'Tis all the happiness you know;"
And all you will know, till you flee to Christ.