Real Talk..Psalm 73

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.~Psalm 73:25-26

God is my strength and my portion forever.  Words written and breathed by God so many years ago, but His Word is eternal.  His Word was true then and is true today.  It will be true tomorrow and I thank Him.

Psalm 73 is what I like to call “real talk” because it acknowledges the struggles and questions that we have, at least I have had, as a believer.   The Psalmist, Asphah, begins by acknowledging the goodness of the Lord to His people and to those who are pure and heart(vs 1).  God is good and understanding that He blesses the righteous are easy concepts to grasp right? But what about when you see the wicked prospering? What about those who don’t even acknowledge God?  Why do they look to be doing so well? ( verses 3-12) I am of course, paraphrasing here, but I know I had similar thoughts when I catch myself in a comparison game.  Like Asaph, my foot almost slipped when I take my eyes off of God and let envy creep in (verse 2).

Like Aspah, I have once wondered if doing the right thing was worth.  Was I just wasting my time trying to keep my heart pure.  Everybody is doing just fine, but everyday I wake up to a new problem.  Why does it feel like I am being punished? ( vs 12-14) I was there with Aspah.  I had let the my mind be twisted by a lack of understanding.  Sadly, I was in a hole and I just kept digging...But God.  

While I could not understand, God did.  And again, like Asphah, it was not until I entered His sanctuary that I begin to understand ( vs 17).  It was not until I entered into His presence that the light bulb came on.  I don’t need to focus on the wicked, God will handle them. What they have is merely a dream, but my inheritance from the Lord is eternal.  He is my portion. 

God is so merciful, kind and good.  I had become a bitter woman and grieved with pain (vs 21) I lashed out and acted like I had no sense. There should have been warning signs flashing all around me for my edges were jagged and raw.  I was “a brute beast beast before” Him ( vs22).  But God! He never left me. He allowed me to enter into His presence and stand before Him. He held my right hand and guided me with His wisdom and power ( vs 23-24).  He kept me and keeps me. He is my everything, all that I desire.  He is my portion forever.  

Real talk...yes, my mind and body grows weary.  And yes me  heart  gets faint, but I look to Him.  He is my strength and my hope. He says that He has made me, will carry me, sustain me and rescue me ( Isaiah 46:4). will stay close to God who is my refuge. When this part of life is over He will take me into glory (vs 24).  

Thank you Lord for not letting me fall.  Thank You for being my portion.  Thank You for holding my hand and preserving me.  Thank You for your word that counsels me.  Thank You Lord for being God.  In Jesus name.