The Gift of a Lot

by - November 17, 2010

A lot is two words, not one, and I've been called Dictionary Dawn on more than one occasion. The English major in me is a tad geeky (or snobby some might say) about words. But this is important because words mean something. And "a lot" is two words, just like "a little" is two words. But a lot is not a little. A lot is a lot.

As in, I like chocolate cake a lot.

Or, thanks a lot.

It means in abundance, many, much.



In Ecclesiastes 5:18-20, God shows up four times, and each time he's busy doing something. He's giving.

He gives life (18).
He gives riches and wealth (19).
He gives joy in our labor (19).
He gives gladness in our hearts (20).

Then God gives us the the gift of all gifts: the ability (empowers us) to receive our lot (19).

This lot is a portion, a part, or a share. As in a parking lot or a lot of land. It's an amount apportioned to each.

When a lot comes from God, it's a lot and a lot. It's a portion that's big. A generous God doesn't give anything else any other way.

Psalm 16:5 tells us the Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup (a synonym for our condition in life, or lot in life). He alone supports, maintains, or upholds my lot. In other words, he doesn't cast lots, but holds them secure.

Translation: The inheritance God has given me is good stuff, and it's safe. No one can steal it away.


And if our big, fat, beautiful gift of His life, wealth, joy and gladness doesn't always look like those things here in this life, then the momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things that are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18.

This means that the lot we see here is going to be a lot more in the life to come — if we have the eyes of faith to see it.

Proverbs 16:33 tells us the lot is cast into the lap but every decision is from the Lord.

When lots are drawn and portions given, God is exercising his sovereignty. He is in control of our life circumstances — our lot, what we are given. And he tells us it's a blessing, a good gift from a loving God.

Have you ever wondered what His lot is? What God's portion is? He does have one, you know. The Lord's portion is His people; Jacob is the allotment of His inheritance. Deuteronomy 32:9.

So I am my Beloved's, and He is mine. We are each other's lot in life. And it's an abundant life and eternal life, a lot of life.

All because He gave...and enabled us to receive...a lot.

And because God's apparently a bit of a Word snob, too.



I'm writing in community today about giving with Ann Voskamp and others who chonicle their walk with Him.


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4 comments

  1. Dawn, I'm with you...incorrect usage just makes me craz...ier (short trip, I know). In our county, about fifty percent of the students are being graduated...er, tossed out of high school, reading at an eighth grade level or lower. Obscene! And yet, the school board admin continues to bellow for more and more funds.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wonderful images, and beautiful words. This was especially meaningful to me today: "When lots are drawn and portions given, God is exercising his sovereignty. He is in control of our life circumstances — our lot, what we are given. And he tells us it's a blessing, a good gift from a loving God.

    Have you ever wondered what His lot is? What God's portion is? He does have one, you know. The Lord's portion is His people; Jacob is the allotment of His inheritance. Deuteronomy 32:9."

    THANKS for sharing your thoughts on a lot. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. my lot has fallen in good places.

    you are such a good writer; it makes me feel
    ashamed.

    i am reading two books, though, to learn to
    be better.

    thank you for the riches here.

    ReplyDelete

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