Yet I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness! I say, “The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in him.” [Lamentations 3:21-24 (CSB)]
“The Lord is my portion,” wrote the prophet Jeremiah. Throughout the Bible, a wide variety of metaphors are used to describe God— rock, refuge, shield, shepherd, fortress, potter, and light—but portion is one of my favorites. Portion refers to one’s share—be it of plunder, an inheritance, or food. Not being a soldier, I can’t relate to the spoils of war and I’ve seen way too many inheritances argued over or squandered to associate those meanings with God. Food, however, is something to which we all can relate.
Indeed, God is our portion—our nourishment—He is what fills and fuels us. As our portion, He’s not one of those amuse-bouche one-bite treats served in fancy restaurants to whet our appetites nor is He a snack to tide us over until dinner time. He’s not a first course like soup or salad, nor a side dish to accompany the main course. God is not that uneaten parsley or edible flower garnishing our plates. He certainly isn’t our dessert, enjoyed only if we’ve saved room and which, while looking delicious, rarely lives up to its promise. He’s not even our entrée—the roast turkey or all-you-can-eat ribs of our lives. No, God is our entire portion—our soup to nuts—our all.
As our portion, God is our breakfast, lunch, dinner, and between-meals-snack rolled into one. He is what gives us sustenance and strength. All-sufficient, He is our confidence, our comfort, and our hope. Moreover, unlike earthly portions that disappear as they are consumed and leave us hungry again a few hours later, God keeps our plates filled to the brim and will satisfy our souls forever. He continually replenishes us with His mercy, guidance, love, and forgiveness. Our cupboards can become empty, and our wells may run dry, but God’s mercies will never end. He is and always will be our more than enough portion!
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me! [Thomas Chisholm]
Devotions of the Heart 