When I was thirteen, I began studying the Bible. I’d been steeped in Bible stories since infancy, but at thirteen I participated in a Bible reading challenge that quickly turned into something life changing: I met Jesus in the pages of scripture.
As a side note to youth leaders and those who work with kids: God used the youth pastor in my life in a big way- the effects of which are still present in my walk with the Lord! Discipleship for teenagers is so important. As someone who grew immensely from those foundational teachings in youth group, I just want to say your role in the Body of Christ is so vital and much appreciated by this former youth group kid.
My first read through the Bible
I remember getting to Numbers 18:20 and this scripture having a profound impact on me:
“And the LORD said to Aaron, ‘You shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel.” Numbers 18:20 (ESV).
I certainly didn’t understand the historical context or Biblical significance of this. But I remember stopping to ponder it. I was sitting on the floor in the backroom of our house, I read through the passage a few times. This was before apps (or smartphones for that matter!) made looking up a concept in the Bible a quick endeavor.
I didn’t understand it at the time, but I was struck by the concept: God was their portion. God was their inheritance. God could be someone’s portion? My heart was drawn to this idea, especially as a girl without a father. God used this picture powerfully in my heart!
The value of being brought close to God, service in his house being their birthright- even if that came at the expense of a normal portion among the people, what an immense treasure for the Levites!
It goes deeper
I was soon to find out, this language of inheritance would continue throughout the Old and New Testament. It wasn’t just the Levites this idea applied to. While they had the physical reality of experiencing the Lord as their portion, Israel as a nation was also spoken about in a similar way regarding their place among the nations.
“Not like these is he who is the portion of Jacob, for he is the one who formed all things, and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance; the LORD of hosts is his name.” Jeremiah 10:16 (ESV).
My heart absolutely loved the psalms (and still does!) where King David pours out his heart and declares that the Lord is his portion!
“The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.” Psalm 16:5 (ESV).
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26 (ESV).
I came across scripture after scripture that answered my question. Yes, God was the portion of the Levites, the portion of his people Israel, and the portion for current day believers in Jesus Christ.
“According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you…” 1 Peter 1:3b-4 (ESV).
It is this inheritance in Christ that the entire law and the prophets point to. It is the reason for the ministry of Christ. It is the good news of the gospel. This inheritance is the truth found in the most memorized verse in Scripture.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (ESV).
God is the portion of all who believe in his son. Eternal life is the inheritance!
When hope wavers
Life comes with pain. In some cases, it might feel like our birthright in the world is one of brokenness. No matter the grief, the gap, the loss, the hope deferred- there is enough in Christ. When he is our portion, the entire worldly script is flipped on its head. The promises in Christ (that a worldly portion in this world isn’t what we’re living for) supersedes the present. It doesn’t mean that it doesn’t hurt. Or that we don’t grieve. It means we have reason to hope, despite the hard and the broken.
There’s joy for the believer
We’re told that for the joy set before him, Jesus Christ endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2). Dear believer, do you know that your future inheritance with him is part of the joy to come? When the Lord is your portion, Jesus is your future!
Where is our hope?
The following words of the prophet Jeremiah bring such comfort to the believer in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob! My feet stop at this scripture, it hits so close to the heart.
‘“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”’ Lamentations 3:24 (ESV).
Dearest believer, God himself is our hope. We can cling to these words when our heart rejoices! We can also whisper these words while tears of grief fall over the broken places. The Lord is my portion! I will not lose my hope, despite what is torn in this life. My hope dwells in the person of Jesus Christ, and my future with him is not subject to the darkness and trouble in the world. Remove every trapping of comfort, convenience, warmth of friendship, family, and love – (still!) He is there.
Being able to say, “my portion is the Lord and my birthright is salvation,” is the most precious gift we could ever receive. It is a comfort and a blessing to be counted among the children of God! My prayer is that during the beautiful times, when the weather is fair, we rejoice in such an amazing inheritance! And if the tides roll sorrows to our shores, we can pray along with the prophet Jeremiah:
‘“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”’ Lamentations 3:24 (ESV).
