The man who has GOD for his portion!
(James Smith, "Gleams of Grace" 1860)
Psalm 119:57
If GOD is my portion, then I ought
to be content without any other
portion. HE is . . .
enough in poverty,
enough in persecution,
enough in life,
enough in death,
enough for evermore!
If GOD gives me HIMSELF--
then it is more than as if HE had
given me the whole world, or ten
thousand worlds like this!
O how happy was the apostle
Paul, who knowing GOD to be
his portion could say,
the circumstances. I know what it is
to be in need, and I know what it is to
have plenty. I have learned the secret
of being content in any and every
situation, whether well fed or hungry,
whether living in plenty or in need!"
Philippians 4:11-12
If GOD is my portion, I ought
to be thankful. It is enough. There
is no losing it. What dignity, what
honor is conferred on the man
who has GOD for his portion!
I deserved to be stripped of everything,
and to be turned out of GOD'S presence
eternally penniless, wretched, and
miserable. But instead of this, GOD
in HIS free grace, in HIS infinite mercy--
gives me . . .
a mansion,
a city with eternal foundations,
a kingdom; more,
HE gives me Himself!
GOD in all HIS glory, in all HIS grace--
is mine! If GOD is my portion, then
I ought to be living upon HIM.
If I live upon anything outside of GOD--
then I live upon what is finite, and will
change. But if I live upon GOD, I live
upon the infinite, and upon what is
unchangeable. As a believer, I should
live befitting the dignity of my lofty
character, position, and prospects.
The man of fortune ought not to live
like the pauper. Just so, the Christian
ought not to live like other men.
If GOD is my portion, I ought to be
making a proper use of it. I should
set my portion over and against . . .
all my pains and privations,
all my griefs and grievances,
all my sadnesses and sorrows.
I should look above all
my trials and troubles--
and rejoice that throughout
eternity, I shall have . . .
eternal ease--instead of pain,
eternal plenty--instead of privation,
eternal joy--instead of grief,
eternal gladness--instead of sadness,
and eternal bliss--instead of sorrow!
Beloved, is the LORD your portion?
Are you living upon HIM as such?
But if GOD is not your portion--
then what is?
Where are your thoughts most?
Where do your affections center?
After what do you pursue?
The world? It is a poor,
perishing, unsatisfying portion!
It will be found insufficient,
unsatisfactory, and perishing!
Unless GOD is your portion,
you will be . . .
unsatisfied in life,
wretched in death, and
indescribably miserable to all eternity!
but GOD is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever!" Psalm 73:26
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GraceGems has published J.A. James' challenging and instructive article,
"Our Sins at the Seminary!" Must reading for both pastors and pastoral students.
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