"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. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
This brings an image to my mind of holding tightly to my Daddy's strong hand, convinced that he was my only hope of safety. I picture his dark hairy hand with a little lump on the wrist. I don't know what the situation was. Maybe a scary rollercoaster ride or walking down a sketchy street, down town at night, returning two cents to a grocery store clerk that one time, or waiting to audition for a play.
The point is that when I held my dad's hand I felt safe. I knew that he was with me and would protect me. So when this verse talks about God holding me by my hand I think of safety in the presence of one who is stronger than me.
Just dwell on that safety with me for a second.
If you are a Christian God is right there with you every moment! His Spirit is inside you. You have nothing to fear.
Now what about the rest of it? What does it mean for God to guide me with His counsel? Was this just for some special writer like David? No, some guy named Asaph wrote it and near the beginning of the psalm he admits that he was far from perfect! I'll be seeking God's guidance in teaching me to listen to him because it's been a little confusing so far.
For my thoughts on God's consistency check out my post 'My crazy summer: The Higher Rock' on Mystery of the Simplex. It tells how I came to love Gods forever-the-sameness last summer.
I could keep writing but really you should just go check out the rest of Psalm 73 because it's pretty awesome (though a little confusing).
I'll leave you with the final verse because it is so beautiful! I hope you will sit and think about it for a while!
-L.
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)
I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,
that I may tell of all your works.
(Psalm 73:28 ESV)
