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No, the Lord is all I need. He takes care of me. My share in life has been pleasant; my part has been beautiful. 

Psalm 16: 5-6 

Have you ever been to a restaurant or been invited to a dinner occasion where they served nouvelle cuisine food? I confess when the food is presented to me I’m actually saying in my mind “small portions indeed!”. In fact some of the time I’m actually trying to find the veg! During my last visit, before lockdown, at the Toby Carvery, I noticed a sign saying that for a few extra pounds you could increase the size of your plate, hence the amount of food I consume accordingly. (Desperate Dan portions)

Yesterday we found how David knew the success of life by adopting a policy of seeking God. Even when he was a king he never stopped the philosophy of his life and seeking God for protection and provision.

Not only did David find satisfaction in knowing God’s will for his life he actually described God as his portion. If I were to ask you to name a Psalm I am sure you would shout out Psalm 23. There in the Psalm it says you lay a table before me and indeed his son Solomon said that God had brought him into a banqueting house. We can see from these words they relied upon God for their portion as well as their protection and provision.

David indeed went further by sharing his portion of food with the grandson of the previous king who had tried to kill him. This is significant because to dine at the king’s table and receive a daily portion of food is one of acceptance. 

David found his acceptance in God’s gracious provisions, indeed Psalm 23 says my cup it runneth over. 

David praised the Lord for His counsel (v. 7), and steadfastness in spiritual devotion. (v. 8) The Omnipotent God is all the portion one needs. It is why David would say “I have set the Lord always before me”. The psalmist continually realised the presence of God.

Now, something I read which is worth taking note of – Note the difference between a “portion” and a “cup”. My portion is what belongs to me, whether or not I enjoy it it’s mine. My cup is what I actually appropriate and make my own. For example, what is put on a baby’s plate at the dinner table is their portion. But we know most children just play with or throw it all over the place and therefore they do not eat all of it; They have had a portion given to them, but their “cup” is what they actually consume.

As followers of Jesus can we be guilty of the same? We have a portion but our cups do not run over. God wants us to enjoy life. Yes even in lockdown! Jesus said, “… I have come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Jesus also said, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:11). 

David himself in the last verse of this Psalm says this Being with you will fill me with joy; at your right hand, I will find pleasure forever.

God desires for you and me it to be like David and find acceptance in God’s gracious provisions, He wants our cup to run over, not just our portion. 

I am not talking about wealth, health, social acceptance, but in the main to have these is, of course, is good but most of all God wants your portion and cup to be in Him. Does God satisfy you? Do you know His gracious provision? Let me point you to Calvary this morning. There I find my greatest need supplied. Christ is my portion and indeed my cup runs over. As the hymn writer says “At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light And the burden of my heart rolled away It was there by faith I received my sight and now I am happy all the day: Happy not because of what I have but who I have. If Christ would suffer so a terrible death for me would He not provide all that I need?

I hope like David you can honestly say Being with you fills me with joy; at your right hand I will find pleasure forever.

He longs to give so why not receive?

Stay safe and be blessed.

Author Edward Lawrence

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