God is Near

Dear Downhearted,

I’m sorry that you’re experiencing discontentment in this season. I’m sorry as well for the potentially accompanying disappointments, unmet hopes, or even grief. I’d like to encourage you today with some truth from Psalm 73:21-26. 

Psalm 73 describes one of Asaph’s bouts with discontentment. The psalmist had become envious of the evildoers around him who seemed to be living at ease, and the result was bitterness toward God in his heart. In the Psalm, Asaph gains some eternal perspective, and it helps him to see his own heart and circumstances more clearly.  Here is part of his conclusion:

“When my soul was embittered,

when I was pricked in heart,

I was brutish and ignorant;

I was like a beast toward you.

Nevertheless, I am continually with you;

You hold my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel,

And afterward you will receive me to glory.

Whom have I in heaven but you?

And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail,

But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”  (Psalm 73:21-26)

There are two things about these verses that I find particularly encouraging. First, I love the descriptions of God. The picture of God holding the psalmist’s hand and guiding him is really comforting to me. In the midst of whatever circumstances you’re facing, take a minute to picture God holding your right hand and guiding you through it. God is near, his word tells us what we need to know to move wisely through our time on earth, and someday he will receive us into glory. 

The second big encouragement I find in these verses is Asaph’s declaration that “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:26). Asaph was struggling not only with undesirable circumstances on the outside but also an “embittered” heart on the inside. His flesh and his heart failed so God strengthened it, and he can strengthen yours as well.

Bring your discontentment to him today. Come with your difficult circumstances on the outside and your heart issues on the inside, and ask him to help. He loves you, he is continually with you and guiding you, and someday, in glory, you’ll get to see him face to face. It is good for you to be near God (Psalm 73:28a). 

 

In Christ,

Kristin Kemmerer