Faithfully Yani

“Divide the land among the tribes, and distribute the grants of land in proportion to the tribes’ populations, as indicated by the number of names on the list.” – Numbers 26:53 (NLT)

This morning, I finished rereading the book of Numbers, and it reminded me why I love going back to the Old Testament—especially now, during my sabbatical. I’m aiming to finish the entire Old Testament as part of my morning routine this season. And reading it again has been so exciting—like going through a dramatic novel filled with emotion, conflict, and divine resolution. I’ve laughed, cried, felt frustration, hope, and even had my fair share of “character biases.”

It’s a rollercoaster, but a deeply spiritual one.

A Simple Gift, A Stirring Reminder

This afternoon, something unexpectedly brought the book of Numbers back to mind: the office gifts I prepared for my friends. I had purchased identical items in function but with different designs. Cute, quirky, classy, colorful… all useful, but styled differently.

As I sat deciding which design to give to whom—wondering who would like which style the most—I was reminded of how God distributed the land among the twelve tribes of Israel.

“Divide the land among the tribes, and distribute the grants of land in proportion to the tribes’ populations…” – Numbers 26:53 (NLT)

It hit me: God is thoughtful with His gifts.

He doesn’t randomly assign portions—He measures, considers, and gives with love and purpose.

And just like my small gift decisions, God doesn’t give everyone the same thing. But what He gives, He gives with care.

But What If I Don’t Like My Portion?

If I’m being honest, I’ve sometimes struggled to fully embrace what God has given me. Maybe you’ve felt that way too.

• Wondering why someone else got that opportunity…
• Wishing your gift looked more like hers or his…
• Thinking what you have doesn’t matter as much…

But the problem isn’t with the portion—it’s with our perspective. So how can we recognize the value of what God has given us?

3 Ways to Trust the Portion God Has Given You:

1. Know the Giver.

God is good. He gave us the greatest gift—His Son, Jesus.

Would a God who gave everything for you suddenly hold back now?

“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” – Romans 8:32 (NIV)

When we know the Giver’s heart, we can trust the value of what He gives. The best way to do that? Stay in the Word. Keep listening. Keep knowing Him.

2. Use the Gift.

Often, we don’t see the beauty or power of our gifts because we never try using them. But the moment you take that first faithful step, God moves.

Whether it’s speaking, encouraging, writing, praying, or singing—God can use it.

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. … Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” – 1 Corinthians 12:4,7 (NIV)

3. Stop Comparing.

Comparison is a thief—of joy, peace, and calling. It turns our eyes away from God and toward someone else’s path. But when we stop looking at what others have, we can finally focus on what God has placed in our hands.

“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.” – Galatians 6:4 (NIV)

Final Encouragement:

So today, if you’re wondering whether your gift matters, or if God can really use you, let this be your reminder: Yes, He can.

And He will—if you’re willing.

The portion may not look like someone else’s. But the value isn’t in the style—it’s in the purpose it carries.

God is always fair. Always thoughtful. And He never wastes a gift.

So stay faithful. Stay open. Let God show you the reason behind what He placed in your hands. Because He sees the bigger picture—one we’re still learning to trust.

Reflection Question:

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Comment below or reach out directly—I’d love to know what God is showing you in this season.

Faithfully,

Yani