Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 22, 2024

“The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot.”

Today’s devotion comes from Joshua chapter 19.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%2019&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Then the second lot fell to Simeon, to the tribe of the sons of Simeon according to their families, and their inheritance was in the midst of the inheritance of the sons of Judah.  …

10 Now the third lot came up for the sons of Zebulun according to their families.  And the territory of their inheritance was as far as Sarid. …

17 The fourth lot fell to Issachar, to the sons of Issachar according to their families.  …

24 Now the fifth lot fell to the tribe of the sons of Asher according to their families.  …

32 The sixth lot fell to the sons of Naphtali;  to the sons of Naphtali according to their families.  …

40 The seventh lot fell to the tribe of the sons of Dan according to their families.  …

49 When they finished apportioning the land for inheritance by its borders, the sons of Israel gave an inheritance in their midst to Joshua the son of Nun.  50 In accordance with the command of the LORD they gave him the city for which he asked, Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim.  So he built the city and settled in it.

51 These are the inheritances which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the households of the tribes of the sons of Israel distributed by lot in Shiloh before the LORD at the doorway of the tent of meeting.  So they finished dividing the land.”  Joshua 19:1 and 10 and 17 and 24 and 32 and 40 and 49-51.

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Today’s Scripture presents the distribution of the land by lot to the tribes of Israel.  Each had their own lot.  

We too have our own lot where we use the term of “lot” to specifically apply to a piece of land or whether we use the term of “lot” to more generally describe what has been given to us in life as “our lot in life”.

Today’s Scripture leads us to examine ourselves.  Are we content with our own lot in life or are we jealous and covet the lots of others? 

We know Scripture encourages us to be content.

“But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.  For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.  If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.  But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”  1 Timothy 6:6-10.

But, there is hope!

“5 The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You support my lot.
6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.” Psalm 16:5-6.

This is particularly important when we consider that we may have a Reformed Faith heritage.  We may have been raised in a Reformed family and attended Reformed churches and schools.  At least, we may have some time been taught the truth of the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

Do we treasure that Reformed Faith and cling to it, or do we neglect it and lose it by trying to be like everybody else?

But, there is more hope! 

You support my lot.” as stated above in Psalm 16:5.

Part of the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation is “Preservation of the Saints”, the “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.  This true doctrine of salvation is more fully taught in the Reformed Confession called Canons of Dordt.

At the top of most pages of my web site, there is a headnote titled “TULIP” which covers the point of “Preservation of the Saints”.  Here is a direct link – https://reformeddoctrine.com/tulip/

“7 I will bless the LORD who has counseled me;
Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.
8 I have set the LORD continually before me;
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will dwell securely.
10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol;
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.
11 You will make known to me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” Psalm 16:7-11.


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