In Psalm 17:14, David prays, "With Your hand, O Lord, save me from men of this world, whose portion is in this life!"
Worldlings may boast of their treasures and pleasures--but the Christian counts all this as loss and dross, when compared to the surpassing worth of knowing the Lord.
If our portion is in this poor world, then we will perish with it. But if our portion is the Lord, then we have a treasure that never disappoints or decays, that no thief can steal, and no time can tarnish.
"You are my portion, O Lord." Psalm 119:57. God is unchanging in His love, unlimited in His mercy, and unfailing in His grace. What greater comfort can a soul have, than to know that the Almighty is his everlasting portion?
Psalm 142:5, "You are my refuge, my portion." How surpassingly glorious is the portion of the child of God! Not merely peace of conscience, not merely deliverance from Hell, not merely the hope of Heaven--but God Himself is our portion!
The true believer does not chiefly desire the gifts of God--he pants after the Giver Himself. He does not primarily long for the place where there is "no more death or mourning or crying or pain," but for the immediate, unhindered presence of the Lord who loves him and gave Himself for him!
The highest expression of divine love, is not that God grants us many blessings, but that He gives us Himself. To say, "The Lord is my portion" is to confess that our portion is infinite, unchanging, and all-satisfying--for He is all that and more.
What greater assurance can the soul have, than to know that the omnipotent, omniscient, all-wise, and infinitely good God, has pledged Himself to be our possession forever?
How shameful it is, th
In A. W. Pink's sermon titled "God Himself, the believer's portion," the central theological theme is the believer's relationship to God as their ultimate portion and treasure, contrasting it with worldly possessions. Pink argues that while the world offers fleeting treasures, the true believer finds their identity and satisfaction solely in God himself, as expressed in Psalm 17:14 and Psalm 73:25-26. He emphasizes that God is unchanging and gracious, presenting Him as the ultimate source of comfort, strength, and satisfaction, which no earthly treasures can match. The practical significance of this doctrine lies in its capacity to sustain believers through trials, reminding them that their worth is not in transient worldly goods but in their everlasting relationship with God, who is their greatest joy and treasure.
Key Quotes
“Worldlings may boast of their treasures and pleasures, but the Christian counts all this as loss and dross when compared to the surpassing worth of knowing the Lord.”
“The highest expression of divine love is not that God grants us many blessings, but that he gives us himself.”
“What greater assurance can the soul have than to know that the omnipotent, omniscient, all-wise and infinitely good God has pledged himself to be our possession for ever?”
“Your inheritance is not primarily what God gives, but who He is.”
The Bible teaches that God Himself is the believer's true portion and treasure, surpassing worldly possessions.
In Psalm 73:25-26, the psalmist declares that there is nothing on earth that he desires besides God. This reflects the truth that while worldly treasures may fade, God is eternal and unchanging. When we view God as our portion, we recognize that our ultimate satisfaction and joy come not from the gifts He provides, but from His very presence. This understanding should shape our desire and affection, guiding us away from the fleeting things of this world.
We know God is our true treasure because He is everlasting and unfailing, providing ultimate comfort in our lives.
The assurance that God is our ultimate treasure comes from His unchanging character and the promise of His presence. In the text, it emphasizes that God is not just a temporary relief but is an eternal refuge. When our circumstances change and worldly comforts vanish, we can still declare, as expressed in the sermon, 'God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.' This reflects the profound truth that our relationship with God provides an unshakeable foundation for our life and faith.
Knowing God as our portion is vital for Christians as it anchors our hope and satisfaction in Him rather than in earthly things.
Understanding God as our portion transforms how Christians perceive life's trials and challenges. When believers recognize that their true inheritance lies in the unsearchable riches of knowing God, they find strength and solace during hardships. As A.W. Pink highlights, this truth sweetens every sorrow, providing a lens through which to view struggles and losses. The focus shifts from temporary earthly treasures that disappoint to the eternal possession of God, leading to a deeper and more fulfilling relationship with Him.
Psalm 17:14; Psalm 73:25-26
Sermon Transcript
Auto-generated transcript • May contain errors
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God himself, the believer's portion. In Psalm 17, verse 14, David prays, With your hand, O Lord, save me from men of this world, whose portion is in this life. Worldlings may boast of their treasures and pleasures, but the Christian counts all this as loss and dross when compared to the surpassing worth of knowing the Lord.
If our portion is in this poor world, then we will perish with it. But if our portion is the Lord himself, then we have a treasure that never disappoints or decays, that no thief can steal, and no time can tarnish. You are my portion, O Lord.
God is unchanging in his love, unlimited in his mercy, and unfailing in his grace. What greater comfort can a soul have than to know that the Almighty is his everlasting portion? You are my refuge, my portion.
How surpassingly glorious is the portion of the Child of God! Not merely peace of conscience, not merely deliverance from hell, not merely the hope of heaven, but God Himself is our portion. The true believer does not chiefly desire the gifts of God, he pants after the giver himself. He does not primarily long for the place where there is no more death or mourning or crying or pain, but for the immediate unhindered presence of the Lord, who loves him and gave himself for him.
The highest expression of divine love is not that God grants us many blessings, but that he gives us himself. To say, the Lord is my portion, is to confess that our portion is infinite, unchanging, and all satisfying, for he is all that and more. What greater assurance can the soul have than to know that the omnipotent, omniscient, all-wise and infinitely good God has pledged himself to be our possession for ever?
How shameful it is, then, when the hearts of believers grow cold towards God and crave the fleeting vanities of this world! How poor are those who possess earthly treasures, but not God! and how rich are those who have nothing on earth but can say, The Lord is my portion.
This truth sweetens the believers' every sorrow. When health fails, when friends forsake, when comforts vanish, still the soul may say, My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.
O believer, meditate deeply on this. Your inheritance is not primarily what God gives, but who He is. Yes, the essence of heaven is to behold God's glory, to be with Him, to possess Him forever.
And let us not forget that every believer is God's portion as well, for the Lord's portion is His people. Yes, our chief delight is that I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine.
O Lord, you are my eternal portion, my treasure, my joy, my all. Strip me of all false treasures. Detach my heart from the fleeting and the fading. Turn my eyes from worthless things and fix my gaze on your beauty. Anchor my soul in the eternal, the glorious, the unsearchable riches of knowing you. Be my delight, my sufficiency, my portion, both now and forever. Amen.
About Arthur W. Pink
Arthur Walkington Pink (1856-1952) was an English Bible teacher who sparked a renewed interest in the exposition of the doctrines of Grace otherwise known as "Calvinism" or "Reformed Theology" in the twentieth century.
Pristine Grace functions as a digital library of preaching and teaching from many different men and ministries. I maintain a broad collection for research, study, and listening, and the presence of any preacher or message here should not be taken as a blanket endorsement of every doctrinal position expressed.
I publish my own convictions openly and without hesitation throughout this site and in my own preaching and writing. This archive is not a denominational clearinghouse. My aim in maintaining it is to preserve historic and contemporary preaching, encourage careful study, and above all direct readers and listeners to the person and work of Christ.
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