Psalm 17:13-15 “deliver my soul from the wicked… from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes. As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

I appreciate the honesty of the Psalmists. There’s no facade put up in their writings and singing. The thoughts of their heart are brought to the light before the Lord. One recurring subject we see is their notice of the prosperity of the “men of this world”. And of course, it’s hard not to notice. In this Psalm, David takes note of men whose bellies are full. They seem to have treasure. They are full of children (in context, a sign of blessing). And they even have an inheritance to pass down to their children.

David’s perspective in this passage is great, and helpful to us. Instead of questioning God’s provisions in his own life, or envying the wicked, David’s thoughts turn to the brevity of life and the reality of eternity. The men of the world only have their portion in this life – and then they die, and leave it behind. David realized, however, that he and God’s people find their satisfaction in eternal things. One day, he said, we will awake. One day, we will be like HIM. One day, we’ll behold his face in righteousness. And that is where our true reward, or true inheritance, and true “portion” come.

When we are tempted to covet the portion of those of this earth, let us remember that for them, it’s only in this life. They will pass on. They’ll leave it behind. But for us who live for eternity, our satisfaction is found in one day standing before the Lord, with an eternal portion and eternal rewards.