When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. (Psalm 73:21-24)
May these words from the psalmist Asaph bring you eternal encouragement as you meditate on the truth that God has made a promise to never let you go. God inspired Asaph to reassure you and me that, regardless of our falling short and all the foolishness and faithlessness we put on display, we are secure in the hand of our God. Asaph freely confessed his sins, yet he knew that he was always in the presence of his God, who had promised to hold on to Asaph through good times and bad and ultimately bring Asaph into the presence of His glory.
If we could fully grasp this truth, we would live lives marked by that supernatural peace that passes all understanding. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Not Satan. Not our sin.
So the question I must ask you today is this: Is Asaph’s confession the confession of your life too? Asaph was not the least bit confused about his sinful condition. He admitted his anger, faithlessness, thoughtlessness, and ignorance; yet he knew deep down that God never wavers in His loving kindness to us.
To always be with the Almighty is to always be on His mind and always in His heart. Think about it this way: when Jesus cried out from the cross, “It is finished,” You were on His mind and in His heart. Everything He did, He did for you. Everything He is currently doing in His providence is being done for your good. All things are working toward His predetermined plan and purpose for the entire universe . . . and that plan includes your redemption and your ultimate glorification. There is no part of your welfare that God is not watching over continually, minute-by-minute, instant-by-instant, for our God never sleeps or slumbers.
So regardless of where this message finds you today—whether you are riding the crest of the wave, peering anxiously at gathering storm clouds, or buried under the waves of challenge—remember that God is always with you.
Perhaps you are in the middle of a mess that is entirely of your own making. Perhaps you’re thinking, “I can’t cry out to God about this; my sin has brought me to this point!” Please look at today’s verse one more time: “Yet I am always with you.” Christian, let that “yet” strengthen your resolve today to rise above every obstacle you face, knowing that He who began the good work in you will not only bring it to completion one day soon, He will never let you go in the midst of that work.
You have His Word on it.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 