Whom Have I In Heaven?
12/16/07 01:42 PM Filed in: Strength
For The Journey | Daily
Devotionals
The following
devotional was taken from
"Strength for
the Journey" and written by Bill
McFarland.
July 1
Daily Bible Reading: Psalms 73-74; Proverbs 15:19-16:4
Whom Have I In Heaven?
Devotional Text: Psalm 73:25
Loneliness and doubt seem to run together. Elijah, weary and afraid, came to the cave at Horeb thinking his zeal for the Lord had not made much difference. He felt that he was all alone (I Kings 19:9, 10).
John the Baptist found himself in danger and alone in Herod’s prison – not exactly the reward for courageous service which might have been expected. He wondered, “Is Jesus the one, or should I be looking for someone else?” (Matt. 14:3, 4; 11:3).
And, the singer of our Psalm looked around at how well the wicked seemed to be doing, comparing their ease with his own struggles. He began to doubt whether his efforts to keep a pure heart and clean hands were worth it (v. 13, 14). A sense of extreme loneliness must have begun to settle over him.
But there has always been an answer to this slippery slope of doubt. It is realizing that someone is for you, working with you. God gave Elijah a coworker to go with him. Jesus sent John the reassurance that he was at work. And the issue was resolved for our singer when he thought, “Whom have I in heaven but You?” His doubt was overcome by a deepened conviction that nothing on earth compares with having the God of heaven as one’s strength and portion (v. 26). His loneliness was relieved by the nearness of God (v. 28).
We also have someone in heaven. He appears before the face of God for us (Heb. 9:24). He is our Advocate with the Father (I Jn. 2:1). He intercedes for us at the right hand of God (Rom. 8:34). Today, whatever our circumstances, let us say with the singer:
“Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. With Your counsel you will guide me, And afterward receive me to glory” (Psalm 73:23, 24).
Daily Bible Reading: Psalms 73-74; Proverbs 15:19-16:4
Whom Have I In Heaven?
Devotional Text: Psalm 73:25
Loneliness and doubt seem to run together. Elijah, weary and afraid, came to the cave at Horeb thinking his zeal for the Lord had not made much difference. He felt that he was all alone (I Kings 19:9, 10).
John the Baptist found himself in danger and alone in Herod’s prison – not exactly the reward for courageous service which might have been expected. He wondered, “Is Jesus the one, or should I be looking for someone else?” (Matt. 14:3, 4; 11:3).
And, the singer of our Psalm looked around at how well the wicked seemed to be doing, comparing their ease with his own struggles. He began to doubt whether his efforts to keep a pure heart and clean hands were worth it (v. 13, 14). A sense of extreme loneliness must have begun to settle over him.
But there has always been an answer to this slippery slope of doubt. It is realizing that someone is for you, working with you. God gave Elijah a coworker to go with him. Jesus sent John the reassurance that he was at work. And the issue was resolved for our singer when he thought, “Whom have I in heaven but You?” His doubt was overcome by a deepened conviction that nothing on earth compares with having the God of heaven as one’s strength and portion (v. 26). His loneliness was relieved by the nearness of God (v. 28).
We also have someone in heaven. He appears before the face of God for us (Heb. 9:24). He is our Advocate with the Father (I Jn. 2:1). He intercedes for us at the right hand of God (Rom. 8:34). Today, whatever our circumstances, let us say with the singer:
“Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. With Your counsel you will guide me, And afterward receive me to glory” (Psalm 73:23, 24).
|