The Astonishing Portions.
THE treasures of kings have sometimes been so vast as to pass into a proverb. And yet, what were they but gold or stones dug out of the bowels of the earth, which, amassed to ever so great a sum, could neither give contentment, ensure health, nor lengthen life? But there is a portion of a diviner nature, and infinitely more excellent, which falls to the share of every saint of God; and he himself is this stupendous portion. “The Lord is my portion, saith my soul.” Now, the astonishing wonder here is, that God, in all his perfections, should condescend, through his Son, to be the portion of his people. But this wonder is not alone, but is joined with another, that is in a manner more surprising still, expressed in these words: “The Lord’s portion is his people, Israel is the lot of his inheritance.” We know how highly we esteem that which we account our portion. And the pious breathing of the saint is, “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee. My flesh and my heart faileth, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.” Then, may we not see what value he sets upon his saints, that he, who possesses all things, and has all perfection in himself, should call them “his portion.” A rich man may condescend to be the prop and friend of a poor man, but will scarcely allow him to be of great account to himself; but here it is otherwise, to the praise of glorious grace, which is not less astonishing in receiving than in giving. He gives the treasures of eternity, which enrich for ever; and receives the cyphers of time, which cannot profit him at all. He gives himself to be ours in his infinite excellencies for ever, and receives us, in all our wants and infirmities, to be his for evermore. Whether is he most glorious in accepting the lispings of faith, “Thou art my God,” or in returning the mutual claim, “Thou art my people?” Because God is the portion of our soul, we have hope; and because he sees the travail of his soul, he is satisfied. O what condescension is this, not only to bow down to give himself away to us, but to take us up to himself! Let philosophers dream on of ten thousand inhabited worlds, yet, among them all, the Lord’s portion is his people, and Israel his inheritance. The heaven is his throne, the earth his footstool, but his portion is dearer to him than both, purchased at an amazing price, and preserved by almighty power, to an immensity of bliss. Precious and costly things are in the peculiar treasures of kings; how noble, then, and excellent must Jacob be (the choice makes it so) whom the eternal King of kings hath chosen to himself for his peculiar treasure, for whom he will give men, and kingdoms for their ransom! Again, a treasure is that which is laid up for time to come; then God will never cast off his own inheritance, give up with his portion, or throw away his treasure, but reserve all to eternity. Finally, if God be the portion of his saints, why such a struggle to fill their coffers with perishing things, and why so disquieted if they do not succeed?