THOU, MY EVERLASTING PORTION
Through the LORD s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness.
"The LORD (YHWH) is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!"
The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:22-26 (NKJV)
To the Jews, the term “portion” meant the part of the land of Canaan assigned to them. But now, in Babylonian captivity, the land was not theirs to enjoy and from which to reap benefit. Jeremiah saw the LORD as being his “everlasting portion”...far more valuable than all the lands of earth! Jeremiah may have been inspired by the words of David: “The Lord is the portion of my inheritance “(Psalm 16:5) and
‘My flesh and my heart may fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26).
Matthew Henry, in his “Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible” reflects on this verse and offers this prayer: “Blessed Lord, who hast so graciously promised to become our portion in the next world, prevent us from choosing any other in this.”
I. THE LORD IS OUR EVER-PRESENT PORTION: The Jews, being in captivity, were separated from their “earthly portion”, that is to say, the land of Israel. But, as the people of God, they were never ever really separated from Him.
Moses said to Joshua "And the LORD, He is the one who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31:8 (NKJV)
The New Testament saint has that same glorious promise. Jesus told His disciples, and by enlargement, all believers, “Lo, I am with you always...” Matthew 28:20
II. THE LORD IS OUR ALL-SUFFICIENT PORTION: “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in every thing, you may have an abundance for every good deed.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NASB)
Paul’s realization of this caused him to write “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
III. THE LORD IS OUR UNMIXED PORTION: An earthly portion will always be mixed, bringing forth roses and thorns.., crops and weeds; good soil and rocks, etc. David wrote, “Oh, how great is Thy goodness which Thou hast stored up for those who fear Thee.” Psalm 31:19.
Every attribute and characteristic of God is defined as absolute perfection. Reginald Heber, in his great “call to worship” hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy”, described it magnificently, “Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee, perfect in power, in love, and purity.”
IV. THE LORD IS OUR INCOMPREHENSIBLE PORTION: You can describe an earthly portion by metes and bounds. But we cannot describe God! “Can you discover the depths of God? Can you discover the limits of the Almighty? Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.” Job 11:7, 9 (NASB).
V. THE LORD IS OUR EVERLASTING PORTION: Our earthly portion, at best, is ours only for a few short years but God is our Portion forever! Isaiah 9:6 refers to Christ Jesus as “the everlasting Father...”
“Therefore will I hope in Him.” For strength for every duty; for comfort in every trial; for deliverance from every danger; and for an abundant entrance into eternal life (2 Peter 1:11)
How beautiful was this truth stated by Fanny J. Crosby in her hymn "Close to Thee".
"Thou, my everlasting portion,
More than friend or life to me;
All along my pilgrim journey,
Savior, let me walk with Thee.
"Close to Thee, close to Thee,
Close to Thee, close to Thee;
All along my pilgrim journey,
Savior, let me walk with Thee."
And may that be the prayer of every one of us; today, and every day; "All along my pilgrim journey, Savior, let me walk with Thee."
