When I was 21, I went to Mexico on my first-ever mission trip.  A group of ten from my church went, and we had a blast.  We were helping a pastor and his family build a house.  The trip was a whirlwind of helping, making new friends, and learning about the culture.  The first Sunday after we returned to the states, we were all going to have a chance to give testimonies and talk about the trip as part of the worship service.  Sunday morning, I woke up very sick.  I missed church, and I missed my chance to talk about the trip.  I was so disappointed, but more than anything, I just felt left out. That morning, I ran across a scripture that has been especially important (and encouraging) to me ever since.

It is Psalm 16: 5-6, “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” (NIV).   That morning, this verse spoke assurance to me that God had made my place (lot) secure, and I did not need to fight for position, or worry about being left out of anything.  God provides, and  his provision is secure–in everything.

I have returned to this verse zillions of times since then–whenever I feel like I have messed up, and the outcome depends on me, I am reminded that the outcome depends on God.  He has given me what I am meant to have, and he gives me security.  Whenever I feel frustrated or held back by my circumstances, I remember, “the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places.”

And then there is the other extremely good news in this verse.  Imagine you are at a banquet–every food, delicacy, delight, treat, desert imaginable is there.  Who would you most want to fix your plate and get your drink?  Would you insist on doing it yourself, if God wanted to do it for you?  To me, the idea of the Lord choosing and assigning to me a portion and a cup is thrilling thing.  There is no doubt in my mind that the Lord will give me a better portion and cup, than I would choose or fight for and win on my own.  God is good.  He holds a special place for all of his children.  I hope this verse in Psalm 16 brings encouragement to you as it has to me.