Psalm 142 is a cave prayer. Over the years, I have regularly paused to capture in my journal thoughts on cave dwelling — four of those times prompted by Psalm 142. So, I’m not surprised that Psalm 142 again gives me something to chew on this morning — not necessarily because I’m cave-constrained right now, but because I have been and, in all likelihood, I will be again. What does surprise me a bit are the two words that “popped” as my portion this morning.

I cry to You, O LORD;
       I say, “You are my refuge,
       my portion in the land of the living.”

(Psalm 142:5 ESV)

My portion . . . that’s what I’m chewing on this morning. You, O LORD, are my portion . . .

One of the things about cave living is there’s not much there. Think cave and you’re thinking not much light. Think cave and you’re thinking not much rest. Think cave and you’re thinking not much company. But while it doesn’t feel like much of a life, for most of us cave dwelling, from time to time, is very much a part of the land of the living. And David would declare You, O LORD, are my portion in the land of the living.

God is the “much” when there’s not much else. He’s our share when no one else is sharing. Our possession when we’re feeling largely dispossessed. Our reward when not much feels rewarding. Our all in all when there’s nothing else. You get the idea. So did David.

You, O LORD, are my portion . . .

Living water for my thirst. Bread from heaven for my hunger. The friend of sinners who knocks at the door in my loneliness. The ultimate prize for running the race — especially when that race includes pit stops in a cave.

Sometimes it takes a cave to remind me of my portion. Not just my portion some day in heaven, but my portion this day in the land of the living.

Oh, to know today the LORD is my portion.

As Spurgeon puts it, “there is no living in the land of the living like living upon the living God.”

To breathe, drink, and feed deeply on His all-sufficient, ever-present grace.

That it might be for His all-deserving, everlasting glory.

Amen?