The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup

The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; Psalm 16:5

"Portion" refers to what a person is assigned or allotted, and "cup" what’s in front of us with regard to life, often used in Scripture to denote what God has allotted to an individual. Portion can also mean inheritance. 

English Standard Version

“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 

When someone’s will is read after death, they give a portion to certain people. Therefore those people are inheriting what’s been left to them. 

God wants us to depend totally on Him in whatever situation or circumstance of life because He is our portion, our inheritance. There is no better inheritance than God Himself and we get to enjoy that now. The Levites did not receive a portion of the land that were entering, instead God was to be their portion and their inheritance. 

It can be so difficult at times because often we find ourselves wanting other things to rely on, things that will make us feel secure, to feel provided for, to know our future is secure for example a nice comfortable pension or paid off mortgage. 

God, however, doesn’t work like that. There are times when He will allow everything to be stripped away from you so the only thing that is left is God Himself. It is then and only then that we realise that HE is certainly enough. 

The Bible character Job comes to mind here as he had all but his life stripped away. 

I felt like that three years ago. Every part of our life was impacted by the freak accident that our beautiful son endured. God had to come through or I was finished. It took time but as I look back now I can see that He indeed was my portion, He was and is enough. 

A man's "cup" is, in Scripture, his lot or condition in life. The psalmist says ‘my cup overflows’. Psalm 23:5

Jesus says ‘Take this cup from me’. Matt 20:22; 26:39

I often wanted the cup of suffering that was handed me to pass and to pass quickly and I still do at times. 

The last part of this verse 5 says ‘you hold my lot’. 

When receiving some counselling I remember saying to the counsellor, maybe I just need to accept my lot. 

The great hymn penned by Horatio Spafford comes to mind when talking of our lot. A song that took me a long time to sing again with any true confidence. 

When peace like a river attended my way

When sorrows like sea billows roll

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say

It is well, it is well, with my soul

Sometimes it can take us a very long time to get to the stage when we can accept our lot, particularly if have suffered greatly. Sadly some never get to that stage. 

If we do however, we find a place of solace when we know that God who IS my cup, my life, my all,  is also IN the cup of suffering so to speak, with me. 

The cup is not mine to bear alone. If He is my cup, He will maintain and uphold me, in my lot, during even the greatest of trials. 

Paul writes 

“Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead”. 2 Cor 1:9 

He is indeed our inheritance, our cup and upholds us whatever befalls us. 

I write none of the above lightly and certainly not glibly. We have suffered to a depth that I never thought possible. And there are many others who have had experiences that I will never have. BUT we can with God’s help find a way through the darkness and somehow begin to echo the words of David in this psalm. However tentatively to begin with, that will over time come forth with confidence and boldness. 

Prayer: 

Father, thank You for the encouragement that we gain from your word. For the likes of David who found comfort and support knowing and declaring who You are in the midst of the battle. Help us all, whatever we’re facing today know that You are for us, that You are our inheritance, that You are our cup and that You uphold us. Amen