Psalm 73

Every Tuesday morning we (the Harvestime staff) have a time of prayer.  I was journaling my prayers as I often do and I wrote the phrase, “Whom have I but you?”  As you may know, I am not extremely good at knowing where scriptures are in the Bible, so I went into my handy dandy YouVersion Bible app on my phone and looked up the phrase; I found it in Psalm 73 (NLT):

Verse 1 – 3 says, “Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure.  But as for me, I almost lost my footing.  My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.  For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.”

It’s easy to begin comparing ourselves to others around us.  We may become angry or discouraged because we see people livingly lavishly who haven’t even tried to do right. We may ask, “Why, God?” when we’ve sacrificed everything but just can’t seem to catch a break.  Verse 7 states it this way: “These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!”

What’s the point?  What’s the purpose of staying pure and innocent of evil?  Why do evil people seem to prosper and “have it all” and the godly are trampled — even killed?

Then we look at verses 17 – 20.  God sees.  He knows.  My favorite line here is in verse 17.  It says, “Then I went into your sanctuary, O God,”  What a beautiful place!!  His sanctuary.  His presence!  Where else can we go?  Whatever the question may be, the answer will be found in His presence.  He is the answer.

Now look at verses 21- 26:

“Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.  I was so foolish and ignorant — I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.  Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.  You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.  Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.  My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.”

Ah!  The love of God is amazing.  He knows us and He sees all of our weakness.  He knows our frailty, yet He chooses to make His home in us. 

Verse 28 –

“But as for me, how good it is to be near God!  I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things You do.”

Make Him your home, today!  He will never leave you.  He will never fail.  Where would I be without the comfort and strength of my Father, God.  He is the strength of my life forever!