Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely, I have a delightful inheritance. (Psalm 16:5-6, NIV 1984).
My Musings – Elsewhere in God’s Word, it says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV). At first blush, this almost sounds like a contradiction of “the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places.” But because He has “overcome the world,” He made “[our] lot secure” and provided us with a “delightful inheritance.” I see at least two good reasons that we can “take heart.“
First – Despite the trouble we will encounter in this world, boundaries have been set. Just like they were in a different context, “this far [troubles] may come and no farther; here is where [they must] halt.” (Job 38:11, NIV 1984). Nothing touches us without the first passing through the hands of God (“you have assigned me my portion“), and never without a purpose. “Though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:6-7, NIV 1984).
Second, “we have a delightful inheritance” that is “secure.” As for our inheritance, “the Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Romans 8:16-17, NIV 1984). And as for secure, “my sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” (John 10-27-29, NIV 1984).
My Advice – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28, NIV 1984).
In all things – Yes, that means even in the trials of this life.
Works for the good – No, not all things will be good or pleasant. But rest assured, they will work towards good and pleasant if…
We love Him – First part of a two-part equation.
Called according to His purpose – This is the second part. And what does called mean? “Those he called, he also justified.” (Romans 8:30, NIV 1984). And this is very important, it is only “through Jesus [that] forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified.” (Acts 13:38-39, NIV 1984).
Love God and believe in His Son. Do that and “the Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”
The Brew Is A Musing 