Psalm 16: 5 Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure [New international version]
I may start by asking the question, what is a lot? A lot could mean different things to different people. The meaning could differ, depending on how the word is used. It could be used as an adverb, in which case it tells us the quantity; lots of beans, or the frequency; she goes to the grocery store a lot.
It could also be used in other ways.
I want to focus on its use as a noun. The word ‘lot’ here refers to a piece of land. In the developing world, lot is referred to as land. So when you own a piece of land, and later on erect a building, you are known as a ‘landlord’. In developed countries, you are referred to as a ‘Homeowner’ having built a house on your lot.
Some people buy lots in developing countries, and can never be sure that it belongs to them alone. You have to pay frequent visits to the lot, just to make sure somebody else has not gone to erect his own building on your property. This leads to frequent fights for just one piece of land and sometimes could be fatal. Both buyer and seller do not have peace of mind.
It sounds strange to people in developed countries like Canada, United States, United kingdom just to name a few, but it is true. This has happened to people we know of. This insecurity is as a result of deliberate dishonesty on the part of the lot owner or village head who sells one single piece of land to two or more persons. Eventually, with this fight, the lot is left vacant or the fiercer buyer wins.
In contrast, in developed countries, having made your down payment, the builder tells you to collect the keys to your home within 9 to 12 months. I remember asking the builder, was that all we needed to do? Oh yes! He said, or you could call a few days to the possession date to set the process in motion. Were we comfortable with the response? No of course, we still had to go behind him to visit the lot, just to make sure that things were going on well. There was actually no need for that because things went perfectly fine.
If man could give his word concerning our home and it all worked fine, how much more should we rely on God’s word?
My Lot could mean all that pertains to me, or all that are connected to me. It could be my children, family, work, health, ministry or anything or anyone with relevance to me.
If the Lord is my portion or my ration or whom I can claim or lay hold unto, why should my lot not be secured? The Lord shall secure your lot and mine in Jesus name.
Verse 6 says, ‘The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places, surely I have a delightful inheritance’
People can no longer move the boundary lines against us, but it shall always be in our favour from this day forth and for ever more, in Jesus name. Amen.
Prayer
Help me Lord to understand that my Lot is secured in you and you alone in Jesus name.
Author: Esther Agbi