Draw Near to God

“But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.” –Psalm 73:28 (ESV).

A long-time question that has perplexed mankind is “Why do the ungodly seem to prosper and the godly have such a hard time?”  That was a query that produced much thought in several of the Psalms, especially those called “Wisdom Psalms.”  I invite you to read all of Psalm 73, and companion wisdom Psalms 49 and 37.  All deal with the dilemma of those who seem to prosper in their way of life while the pious and godly seem to suffer.  Is it any wonder we ask “Why?” 

To explore what we often, in our humanity, term unfairness seems to me to be a logical pursuit.  But through all the questioning the Psalm writers pose, there comes a very definite conclusion:  “Loyalty to the Lord always is rewarded by contentment in Him, honest dealing with our fellowman, generosity of spirit, and just and righteous living.  We are not to be envious of evil doers, but we ourselves are to “trust in the Lord and do good” (Psalm 37:3).  The more we draw near to God, the better perspective we will have on life.  We won’t wonder so much about its “fairness” as we come to realize that our “delight is in the Lord” (Psalm 37:4)  Moreover, for those who draw near to God, they have not only necessary strength for this life but they have an anchor for the life to come, whereas the wicked are “cut off.” 

Today we call ‘the Lord’s day,’ a day set aside for worship and spiritual refreshment.  (Actually, every day is the Lord’s day; one in seven is set aside for public worship) The Psalmist wrote that it was in worship that the answers he sought came to him:  “But when I thought how to understand this (that is, why the ungodly seemingly prosper and the good have tribulation), it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end” (Psalm 73:16, ESV).  In worship the Psalmist reaches some wonderful conclusions:  “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 73:23-26).  And the assurance that all is right is in the resolution and exaltation expressed in verse 28:  “But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of His works.”  It is not in the punctuation of this verse, but I for one think it should end in an exclamation mark!  As I draw near to God, He assures me that He is my strength and my portion forever!

                                                                                                Ethelene Dyer Jones 03.10.2013.