'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — September 27

What a comfort it is to have God as your portion! This portion is not in toys and trifles, but in the blessed, and boundless God. It is a portion so precious that none of the greatest mathematicians ever undertook to compute its worth. It is a portion so permanent that nothing can part you from it (Rom. 8:38-39). Winter may freeze a pond, but not the ocean. You may receive comfort from this portion in the most afflicted condition. If men plunder your estate you may suffer the spoiling of your goods joyfully, knowing you have a more enduring substance and are rich towards God (Heb. 10:34). Do they cast you into prison? Though your body is in fetters, your soul enjoys freedom. No chain can so fasten you to the earth but you may mount up to heaven upon the wings of meditation and prayer. Do they take away your food? You have meat to eat they do not know about. Is your body sick? Your soul is sound, and so all is well. If your enemies kill you, they cannot hurt you; they do you the greatest courtesy. They free you from your corruptions, and send you to your heavenly home. The Christian can be happy under the greatest outward misery. What weight can sink him who has everlasting arms to support him? What can sadden him who has infinite bounty and mercy to supply him? Nothing can make him miserable who has God for his happiness. O Christian, may you walk so that the world may know you are above their fears, and that all their allurements are below your hopes! If God is our portion, we are comfortable against the death of our Christian friends and our own deaths. Blessed are they who die in the Lord. God our portion—O think of it, and take comfort in it!

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Devotional Readings 'Voices From The Past Vol.1.'
George Swinnock, Works, IV:46-48
Banner of Truth has granted permission for the use of this material.