5 Days of Devotion
Day Five – Friday
Psalm 73
23 Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. 24 You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. 26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. 27 Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. 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.
I love how this weeks devotional is finishing up. “I still belong to you.” Psalm 73 is a journey of emotional and mental trials and temptations. The writer sees the goodness of God but is trying desperately to understand how God works. His eyes and emotions see the rewards of the wicked and the riches of those around him that are not following God’s plan. It is often difficult to see sense in the world as we watch the news, engross ourselves in a movie or talk to friends over a meal. We know our hearts, we know that we are trying to be the best and we know God looks at the heart.
The temptation to leave God’s side is great but I love what the Psalmist says, “You hold my right hand, you guide me with counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny!” What a statement! What a declaration! Even though the thought of slipping came, the temptation to give up, we see here that not only is God good but He is loyal, faithful and is holding on to us! He is planning and preparing a glorious future! He is guiding us and He is involved in our lives, sometimes whether we like it or not!
“But as for me, how GOOD is it to be near God! I have MADE the Sovereign LORD my shelter…”
Oh, how good it is to enter His sanctuary. God Himself declared, “I will never leave you or forsake you!” He is a dedicated and passionate God. The Book of James says that if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. That isn’t saying God left us! It is saying that as we clean up, put our ways behind us, as we refocus our attention back on Him He will run towards us! He wants fellowship and relationship! It is you and I that struggle and waver but not anymore!
I declare that you will go onwards and upward from this day forth! You will see the relationship with your Heavenly as beautiful and expanding, growing in depth and wisdom. You will allow God to walk with you everyday, as close as a brother! The Word of God is your foundation, Jesus is your Lord and the Holy Spirit is your guide! You have a wonderful future!
“God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever!”
