Daily devotional, March 8, 2024 Solo Flight
"Instead of your shame you will have a double portion, And instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion. Therefore they will possess a double portion in their land, Everlasting joy will be theirs."
Isaiah 61:7
There are times in our life when we feel like we are on a solo flight. When we suffer a loss of a loved one, when we feel abandoned and neglected, and when we feel like the weight of the world is on our shoulders. As mothers, it is easy to get overwhelmed. Whether we are working out of the home, or a housemom, we may often feel like we are going solo.
It is during these times that our Sovereign God reminds us that we are never alone. That in the times when we cannot physically see anyone helping us, encouraging us, and working with us, He is there to help us.
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10
Out of the 12 Tribes of Israel, only the Levites have no inheritance. They did not receive any land allotment when Moses apportioned the land according to the instructions of the Lord.
“The Levitical priests, all the tribe of Levi, shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They shall eat the Lord’s food offerings as their inheritance. They shall have no inheritance among their brothers; the Lord is their inheritance, as he promised them."
Deuteronomy 18:1-2
Even though the Levites play a great role in their society as they are priests, they do not physically have anything on their name as their property. The Lord provides for all of their needs by moving people to provide for them. As there are priests in every community Levites are distributed throughout the land occupied by all Israelites.
"All the holy contributions that the people of Israel present to the Lord I give to you, and to your sons and daughters with you, as a perpetual due. It is a covenant of salt forever before the Lord for you and for your offspring with you.” And the Lord said to Aaron, “You shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel." Numbers 18:19-20
Biblical scholars say that this is God’s way of setting the Levites apart — by allowing them to live lives that are fully dependent on the Lord. That whatever provisions they may have, they know that these are from God, and that these are all passing and should not be grasped upon.
More importantly though, the Lord gives Himself to them who fully depend on Him, as He assures them that He is their inheritance. St. Paul the Apostle’s second letter to the Corinthians captures the life of a follower who serves and stands to inherit Jesus Christ:
"known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything." 2 Corinthians 6:9-10
When we dedicate our lives to the Lord by living lives that honor Him, we may not have what others have. We may feel like we are on our own. But the Lord assures us that we are on for a greater reward in heaven which is an eternity with Him. When we feel like we have been forgotten because we are alone and feel like we lack everything, let us remember that like the Levites we are handpicked to serve Him and do His will. All we have to do is to put our full trust in Him and align to His will. By doing this, we will witness His hand in our lives, helping us endure challenges, and assuring us that we lack nothing.
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Numbers 18:1-24 and 2 Corinthians 6:4-10 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Do you feel like you are alone and you lack a lot of things? How can knowing that God is your portion in life calm your soul?
Conversation with the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for assuring me that whenever I feel like I may have no worldly treasure, nor persons to lean on, I can always count on you to be there for me. Remind this truth to me my Lord, as I strive to walk in your ways. Amen.