Psalm 16:6-8
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
The word "portion" means property, but it can also mean "boundary"; verse 6 says "The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places," which refers to God's Promised Land. This is a specific boundary or area, and every Christian and every church has different boundary or area. When God called Abraham to leave own country, people, and household to the land God will show him, God was asking Abraham to leave for a specific place. Is Canaanite land really better than Ur or Harran? It isn't, but the Canaanite land is the Promised Land, and the blessing of God will come upon him only when he is in the Promised Land.
Before Israelites entered Canaan, two and a half tribes settled at the east of Jordan. Even when God wanted them to continue matching forward into the Promised Land, they did not, which is why they are the earliest to disappear in the history of Israel due to enemies' attacks. When Paul wanted to preach the gospel in Asia and Bithynia, the Spirit of Jesus would not allow him to. Even so, they understood that he can be blessed and his ministry can be effective only when he obey God and serve in the boundary that God would give him. Therefore, when he heard the call of Macedonians, he knew that's the boundary God set for him.
You and I can't possibly do all work, but each of us has different boundary from God. Your ministry can be effective only when you serve within that boundary. There was a famous Mafia Lord who came to Christ while serving his sentence in New York and was called into full time ministry when he was done with his term. God called him to prison ministry but he refused the calling, wanting to do youth ministry but found no opportunity to do so. A prison officer asked him to minister and the Spirit of God worked mightily through him that many were saved. The news spread and many prisons invited him to minister, and eventually he formed a prison evangelistic ministry. Do you know that God has prepared a specific boundary for you? You can be effective only when you serve with that boundary.
Pray with Pastor Tong
Dear Lord, may You open our eyes to know the boundary You have set for us. Also give us a submissive spirit to obey Your will so that You can do Your work through us. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!
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