BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever,” ( Psalm 73:26).
How to Live with God as Your Portion
By Kristine Brown
Hannah knew what it meant to live with God as her portion, but not at first. We all learn our greatest lessons by trusting God through difficult times, and Hannah was no exception. From her story, we too can discover a deeper trust in the One who is above all, even in the scariest times. We can learn what it means when God is our portion. God is my portion when I don’t have enough.
“But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the Lord had closed her womb,” ( 1 Samuel 1:5).
Hannah wanted a child more than anything. 1 Samuel 1:8 describes her as “downhearted.” Something was missing from her life, and her husband Elkanah did everything he could to console her, even giving her a double portion.
There will be times when we don’t have enough. We may even wonder why God isn’t providing the way we think He should. It could be one of life’s basic needs, like money to pay bills or food in the pantry. We may seek answers, like I did when my heart problem returned. We may long for healing. Whatever the desire, let’s remember this truth: God knows more about what we need than we do. Sometimes He doesn’t take the pain away, but instead comforts us through it. How we handle difficulties can encourage others and draw His children closer to Him. Your journey can become just the inspiration someone else needs.
Just like Elkanah’s gift to his beloved wife, God satisfies us with more than we could ask for. He gave us His only son as a sacrifice to show the depth of His love. God is our portion that fills the void when - like Hannah - something is missing in our lives.
Hannah didn’t hide away like I’m tempted to do. She didn’t vent, although the tears did flow. She went straight to the Source of all comfort. Hannah decided to put her hope in God.
“And she made a vow, saying, ‘Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head,’” ( 1 Samuel 1:11 NIV).
Hannah’s resolve to trust in God changed her entire outlook. Instead of staying downhearted, she became hopeful. She traded discouraging thoughts for triumph. Let’s take a lesson from Hannah’s commitment. When we’ve had enough and we’re tempted to soothe our spirits with short-term comforts, let’s put down the remote and go straight to God in prayer. His comforting presence will be our portion when enough is enough.
Is something missing in your life today? Are you feeling unworthy, or are you fed up with daily frustrations? Lamentations 3:24 says, “The Lord is my portion.” On the day of my heart surgery, I learned what this means in a real, tangible way. I didn’t have the answers or know the outcome, but I did know this. In all things, He is enough.
Editor’s Note: The following was adapted from What Does it Mean When the Lord is Your Portion? by Kristine Brown. To read the full article, follow this link.
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