With God as Your Portion

The following thoughts, by the Puritan George Swinnock, concern the Christian’s relationship with God, and the effects of that relationship on life.   They are from Voices from the Past, a collection of Puritan devotional readings published in 2009 by Banner of Truth.  Voices is a wonderful introduction to Puritan thought.  I cannot recommend it too highly as a first step into the marvelous depths of Puritan literature.

“God is a sanctifying and enabling portion.  The things of the world cannot advance the soul in the least.  Often, many are worse for their earthly pursuits.  If some had not been so wealthy, they would not have been so wicked.  Many perish in their great prosperity.  That which will elevate the soul must be more excellent than the soul.  Silver is abased by mixing it with lead, but enobled by gold.  O friend, the portions in the world are like candles that are consumed by use, compared to God your eternal portion.  God is yours forever and ever.  O sweet word, ‘forever’!  All the pleasures of creation cannot compare to the fruit of God for a moment.”  The good that we see in creation is intended to draw our hearts to the greater good, to the Creator of all good.  The limited good of created things was not meant to hold our hearts.  If the creation holds our affections, it is being put in the place of God.  This perverts its natural use, which is to set for the invisible glory of the Creator.  The beauty and wonder of the universe is mixed with imperfection; the beauty draws us to God, the imperfection keeps us from worshipping the creation itself.