PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Psalm 73
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure.” (Psalm 73:13)
How do we feel when non-believers or bad people seem to do OK.
Or even worse, they seem to prosper and be happy?!?
In this psalm Asaph shares his honest struggle with following God.
He still struggles… so is following God a waste of time and effort?
As he thinks about this, he realizes what ‘the wicked’ do not have.
They do not know the comfort of God’s presence and promise.
They go through life ultimately alone, and will die alone.
“But as for me, it is good to be near God.” (Psalm 73:28)
I can say that I do often experience the nearness of God with me.
When life is hard, I find myself strengthened in the comfort of his presence.
Like Paul, its as if I’m renewed inwardly while dying outwardly (2 Corinthians 4:6).
As a Jesus follower, we can draw upon his presence and his promise.
If I didn’t have this, then what would be the use of following Jesus?
If we had to choose between earthly or heavenly comfort, which would I choose?
PRAYER
Lord, if I don’t enjoy your presence and your promise, why would I bother to follow you? Thank you that I am growing in enjoying these wonderful blessings.
This Psalm reminds me that everything in life is not as rosy as it appears. We may be envious of others – that’s bad – I remember when I discovered I envied the success of my own brother. I kicked myself – and reminded myself that God was blessing him and causing him to be a blessing (he was very generous with his stuff – sharing and the first to offer his vehicle and equipment if that was needed) and I knew that God was blessing me too – so I ended up with praise instead of envy. In the end none of the stuff in this life that we may want to have is satisfying – rather the more I have the more I worry! The Psalmist points me to solid ground – to God – to Jesus. I may be a steward of much or little -but let what I have be in service to the Kingdom. That is where true contentment lies – envy – NO.
God is my strength and song. The joy of the Lord God is my strength. I can enjoy this day in joy because God is near me. He is my Refuge, the Rock of my salvation. Today, as in all other days, God id first and my others see Him living in me as I continue to walk in His ‘SonShine.’
The joy of the Lord will be my strength
I will not falter, I will not faint
He is my Shepherd, I am not afraid
The joy of the Lord is my strength
The joy of the Lord
The joy of the Lord
The joy of the Lord is my strength
The joy of the Lord will be my strength
He will uphold me all of my days
I am surrounded by mercy and grace
And the joy of the Lord is my strength.