Week 14: Nothing but You

This week, the Bible reading plan is as follows:

*Sunday: Deuteronomy 18-20; Luke 9:28-50; Psalm 73; Proverbs 12:10
*Monday: Deuteronomy 21-22; Luke 9:51-10:12; Psalm 74; Proverbs 12:11
*Tuesday: Deuteronomy 23-25; Luke 10:13-37; Psalm 75; Proverbs 12:12-14
*Wednesday: Deuteronomy 26-27; Luke 10:38-11:13; Psalm 76; Proverbs 12:15-17
*Thursday: Deuteronomy 28; Luke 11:14-36; Psalm 77; Proverbs 12:18
*Friday: Deuteronomy 29-30; Luke 11:37-12:7; Psalm 78:1-31; Proverbs 12:19-20
*Saturday: Deuteronomy 31-32:37; Luke 12:8-34; Psalm 78:32-55; Proverbs 12:21-23

Scripture: Psalm 73:25-26
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.

Observation:
This psalm is a psalm from Asaph. He was a Levite and one of David's worship leaders, see 1 Chronicles 15:17. More specifically, he was one of the drummers of the band (1 Chronicles 15:19, 16:5): he made a loud noise on the bronze cymbals...

Asaph starts this psalm by acknowledging that he had almost made a very big mistake, namely envying those who do not believe in God, yet seemingly have a worry-free and prosperous live (vs. 1-5). He questions himself why he kept his heart pure even though he experiences trouble all day long (vs. 13 & 14).

But instead of turning away from God, he kept asking the question and tried to understand why (v.16). Then one day, God gave him insight and answered his question (v.17). He received this insight when he entered God's holy place, and meditated on the 'final destination' of those who do not believe in God. All of a sudden, Asaph realized the rock he was standing on: God. And that's when he wrote down verses 25 & 26 that were quoted above. He realized that he desired God more than anything here on earth, and that God remains the strength of his heart, even though his health may fail and his spirit may grow weak. Wow, what an observation!

Application:
Asaph's realization is one that comes with time and wisdom. It comes with life experiences. It comes from comforting loved ones who battle a terminal disease, or fighting a terminal sickness yourself. It comes from being at the bottom of the pit, from being in the darkest of the night.

Yet in those dark places, we hold on to that eternal light. It has been said: "Don't forget in the darkness what you have learned in the light." When Asaph was in the darkness, he remembered. He remembered that in light of eternity, his present troubles were nothing compared to the eternal salvation that would be waiting for him. He realized that God was his foundation, the rock upon which he stood.

And so should we. We have to remember this now, when we're still in the light. And if we are in the darkness, and all of us have been at times or will be in the future, we need to hold on to this truth, that we have nothing in heaven or earth, but God. He is the rock of our salvation.

Prayer:
Whom have I in heaven but you oh Lord? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but You remain the strength of my heart; You are mine forever. Help us to never forget this truth. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for being the rock of our salvation. In your name we pray. Amen.

Have a blessed week.

Dick