The section beginning at this verse describes the territories allotted to the Levites. They were given no land of their own but had cities that were part of the land given to the other tribes. It’s often said of the Levites that “The Lord is their portion.”
One might think that the Levites would have felt short changed, but that never appears to be the case. Asaph, one of the mentioned singers in Chronicles (A Levite without a land inheritance) , writes in Psalm 73, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. ?My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is ?the strength? of my heart and my ?portion forever.” It’s long been understood that the things of earth are passing away, yet the joys in God’s presence are everlasting.
Taking the Lord as “My Portion” is something anyone can do. David, who was not a Levite, acknowledged the Lord as his portion by choice. He writes, “The Lord is my chosen portion and my ?cup; you (Lord) hold my ?lot. ?The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.” (Psalm 16:5-6) I like the way the New Century versions puts it; “No, the Lord is all I need. He takes care of me. My share in life has been pleasant; my part has been beautiful.”
We often sing “He fills my every longing…” We sing, “All for Jesus….” We sing, “Take my silver and my gold, naught from Jesus would I withhold..” What we mean is that we too, like the Psalmists, take the Lord as our portion. Nothing can exceed the value of choosing the Lord as your portion.
Horatio Bonar wrote a beautiful poem about taking the Lord as his Lot in life. It goes like this:
Thy way, not mine, O Lord, However dark it be!
Lead me by Thine own hand; Choose Thou the path for me.
Smooth let it be or rough, It will be still the best;
Winding or straight, it leads Right onward to Thy rest.
I dare not choose my lot; I would not if I might;
Choose Thou for me, my God: So shall I walk aright.
Take Thou my cup, and it With joy or sorrow fill,
As best to Thee may seem; Choose Thou my good and ill.
Choose Thou for me my friends, My sickness and my health;
Choose Thou my cares for me, My poverty or wealth.
Not mine, not mine the choice, In things or great or small;
Be Thou my guide, my strength, My wisdom and my all
Chuck
“Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT)