"But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works."
Psalm 73:28

I must agree wholeheartedly with David! Truly the nearness of God in my life is my good. When you make the Lord God your refuge you always have a safe place to run to that is always accessible. I know I will find whatever I need there. That doesn’t mean I get everything I want…thankfully. I have learned to trust in His love for me, and there is no doubt His ways are always higher than mine. I have learned when there is a conflict I surrender my will for His, and as a result of this practice He has made my life meaningful, and has given me purpose in living.

Like David, I too must tell of all His works. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth will speak.
James 4:8 tells us to draw near to God, and He will draw near to us. It is as simple as that. When you have drawn near to God you cannot help but speak of Him as David implied. When He has been your refuge you cannot restrain from telling of His works in your life. He wants to give all of us a story to tell about our lives as He did those in the Bible. The testimonies of others help keep our faith alive. It isn’t to be our main source of hope, but others proclaiming the greatness of our God is vital in all our walks. It begins with us drawing near daily on a consistent basis, and allowing God to be our Refuge we run to no matter what the need is. He is God; He is adequate.

I love Psalm 73 because it describes life on earth so well. Our writer was perplexed and overwhelmed by how he perceived the wicked prospering and at ease while the godly were being stricken and chastised. His conclusion was:

"Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and washed my hands in innocence." ( Psalm 73:13)

"When I pondered to understand this, It was troublesome in my sight until I came into the sanctuary of God; then I perceived their end." (Psalm 73:16-17)

The writer describes his condition as he entered into the nearness of God. He tells us his heart was embittered. He was pierced from within. He declares himself senseless and ignorant like a wild beast. (Psalm 73:21-22)
We must come as we are. We will not be turned away.
Psalm 73:23-26 beautifully describes the outcome:

"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. Whom have I in heaven but You: and besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

May I admonish you this morning to draw near to the Lord God. Come as you are. Allow our God to become your refuge and strength in all things. Allow Him to impart truth in your life that you might gain His perspective. Let Him be your counselor, and guide you into glory!

Yes, our flesh and our hearts do fail us, but we must learn to allow Him to be the strength of our hearts and our portion forever. Then may we tell others our story of His great works in our lives. It is yours for the taking!
In His love.

Teresa Roberts

Masterpiece Fitness

www.masterpiecefitness.com

Psalm 73:28 sums up my experience while participating in the 35k Table Rock Trail Run yesterday in the Pisgah National Forest. The western NC mountains are always breath-taking more ways than one while trail running!