Have you ever felt cheated?  Like someone wronged you, and took something that was rightfully yours?  Maybe some amount of money, maybe a promotion at work, maybe something else.  That feeling of bitterness that arises, comes from a sense of entitlement, that in some way these things are ours, or that we are owed them.  This is how we view these situations from our small perspective.

Now step back a moment, and look at things from a larger perspective.  Each of us was created to reflect the glory of God.  That means, we were created to represent God, to display his character and nature fully, to show His worth.  Using a bad analogy, this would be like Picasso painting a masterpiece – it would reflect not the worth of the painting, but the worth of the painter.  Each of us was created for this, but we all have sinned, each of us has rejected God and has gone his/her own way.  In light of this, each of us is entitled to something – but not the money or promotion we might think – the only thing we are entitled to is judgement, death, and separation from the God we’ve rejected.  So then in life, when we are wronged, in reality, we are not owed anything good, so we ought not to be bitter.  Every breath that we take as a sinner, is in actuality, a mercy and blessing by God.

But God doesn’t leave us in this state.  He isn’t content merely to judge each of us in our sin, although He would be perfectly just to do so.  While this would display the justice of God, which is just as important as any other attribute of the glory of our Holy God, he sought to make known to magnitude of His mercy and love in Christ Jesus.  Romans 5:6-10 – “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”

So God has given us what we were not owed, and took upon Himself to be wronged for the sake of His glory, that His love might become known, by dying in our place, taking the judgement and wrath of God on Himself.  What a God we serve!  Do you know anyone that loving in your life?  If you did, wouldn’t you want to be around that person all the time, wouldn’t you want to be their best friend?  That is the good news of the gospel, that’s what was accomplished on the cross, Christ died to reconcile us to God.  Now we know God as more than just a judge, and Lord, but as a good heavenly father, and friend.  1 Peter 3:18a – “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God”  John 15:15 – “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” 

So, now that we have been reconciled, what are we owed?  We are owed, the most valuable and precious gift in all creation, infinitely more valuable than money, or a job – because of what Jesus died for us, we are owed God Himself, He is our portion.  No matter what else the world may take from us, they can never take God from us.  His love is neverending, His lovingkindness is everlasting (Lam 3:23).

My exhortation today is to meditate on this.  Do you see God as a treasure in your life?  Do you cling to Him for comfort and peace, not just when things go wrong, but every day?  If you do, you will be given a peace that surpasses understanding.  You will become firm in your faith, knowing that God will do exactly as He said He would do – He is with you now, and will be for with you for all eternity.  When the tears flow from life, I hope these words of a Psalmist will resonate in your heart.

Psalm 73:23-26 – “Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.  You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.  Whom have I in heaven but you?  And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

I never know who reads these each day, or who they might get forwarded to, but know that I pray for the readers, so if you’ve read this you’ve been prayed for.  I know that God is faithful, and capable to work mightily in anyone’s life, no matter where you’re at today, today is the day of salvation, today is the day God wants you to pursue Him as your portion in life.  If you’re married, seek God together.  If you’re single, seek God, and live boldly.  If you don’t know where to start, get a Bible, start in the book of John.  The Bible is more than stories, and “life advice” it is literally a picture with words of who the One True God is, so if you want to know Him, read about Him.  Things won’t all make sense at first, but God will grant you eyes to see Him with time, and you will find joy and in Him.  You will reap in time what you sow today, and know that there is more joy to be found in God, than we could experience in 1000 lifetimes.  Some of us know that already, some of us God is drawing to Himself to see Him as He is, a great and glorious treasure, but for all of us who believe on Jesus Christ, no worldly pleasures would ever satisfy us – God is our portion forever.  Grace and peace be with you.

-Adam