Encouragement for Today - May 25, 2012
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May 25, 2012
Everything We Need |
"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26 (NIV)
If the term "you are what you eat" were literally true, my son would be a bowl of chocolate ice cream.
Before Michael was old enough to even say ice cream, he loved it. Several years ago, he begged for chocolate ice cream, with bottom lip poked out for sentimental effect. Since I could never resist that adorable face, I pulled the gallon of ice cream out of the freezer.
I pried open the lid only to discover a nearly empty carton. To save time from scooping and scraping, I had Michael eat straight out of the gallon.
A monster was created that day.
Once he discovered that eating out of the carton meant his portion would not be limited to a few scoops, life as he knew it changed. Never again did he ask for ice cream without proposing he just eat out of the gallon.
Michael's desire for unlimited measures of his beloved frozen treat made me ponder how life-changing it is when we crave unlimited portions of God.
In today's key verse, the psalmist refers to God as his "portion." Although he knew he would fail in heart and flesh, giving in to temptations and looking to things or people to meet his needs, He knew God was enough for whatever he needed.
The Lord provides a sufficient portion of strength when we are feeling weak and beaten down. He sustains us when we are anxious, discouraged, frustrated and tired. He promises that when we stumble, He will give us His grace and mercy.
Most importantly, no matter how long we spin our wheels trying to find joy and satisfaction in earthly things, God patiently offers Himself and waits for us to realize that what we really need is a bigger portion of Him.
In Hebrew, the word "portion" is translated as "inheritance" or "allotment." What if we thought of God's portion as our inheritance? Could we embrace the truth that He gives us everything He is; and we can have as much as we desire?
When we come to Jesus with the hungers of our heart, He provides the perfect portion to fill our longings, heal our wounds and meet our unmet needs. When it comes to God and His Word, we can always eat out of the gallon!
Dear Lord, give me a hunger and a thirst for Your Word. I want to crave a daily portion of You and rely on Your provision to meet my every need. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Would you like to bring the message of this devotion to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Tracie as your next retreat / key note speaker.
Visit Tracie's blog for a few suggestions on how to get your portion of Jesus every day.
Made To Crave by Lysa TerKeurst
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Reflect and Respond:
What would happen if you sincerely depended on God to be your portion during the most difficult days, when you are craving peace, comfort and freedom from pain or adversity?
Ask God to help you depend on Him to be your portion not only when facing adversity, but also when life seems to be problem-free.
Power Verses:
Psalm 73:25-28, "You're all I want in heaven! You're all I want on earth! When my skin sags and my bones get brittle, God is rock-firm and faithful. Look! Those who left you are falling apart! Deserters, they'll never be heard from again. But I'm in the very presence of God — oh, how refreshing it is! I've made Lord God my home. God, I'm telling the world what you do!" (MSG)
Psalm 16:5, "LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure." (NIV)
© 2012 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
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