Morning By Morning #211

Yet I am always with you.

Psalm 73:23

From the pen of Charles Spurgeon:

“Yet,” as if to say, in spite of all the foolishness and ignorance that David had been confessing to God (in yesterday’s devotion), he was not at all less certain he was saved and accepted, and that the blessings of being constantly in God’s presence were undoubtedly his. Fully aware of his own sinful condition and the deceitfulness and vileness of his nature, he nevertheless sings through a glorious outburst of faith, “Yet I am always with you.”

Believer, do you feel compelled to agree with Asaph, who composed this psalm for David? Do you agree with his confession and acknowledgment of sin and, in the same spirit, say, “Yet, since I belong to Christ I am continually with God”? By saying, “I am always with you,” he meant, “I am continually on His mind and He is always thinking of my welfare. ‘The eyes of the LORD are [constantly] on [me]’ (Ps. 33:18), for ‘he who watches over [me] will neither slumber nor sleep’ (Ps. 121:4). I am continually in His hand and ‘no one can snatch [me] out of my Father’s hand’ (John 10:29). My name is constantly on His heart as a memorial, just as the high priest constantly wore the breastplate bearing ‘each of the names of the sons of Israel’ (Ex. 39:14) over his heart.”

You are always thinking of me, O God. Your deep love continually yearns for me, and Your sovereignty is always working for my good. You have set me “like a seal on your arm; for [Your] love is as strong as death…Many waters cannot quench [Your] love; rivers cannot wash it away” (Song 8:6 – 7). What astonishing grace that You see me in Christ! And that in myself alone I would be abhorred by You, but that You see me clothed in Christ’s garments and washed in His blood; thus, I stand accepted in Your presence. Consequently, I am always in Your favor—“always with you.”

In this is found true comfort for the tried and afflicted soul, who may appear calm on the outside but is vexed by an inner storm. “Yet.” Say it in your heart and receive the peace it gives. “Yet I am always with you.”

From the pen of Jim Reimann:

In several Scriptures our Lord promises to be with us, just as He said to Joshua, “I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Josh. 1:5). That doesn’t mean, however, that a believer’s life will be easy. If that were true, the Lord would not have said several times to Joshua, “Be strong and courageous” (Josh. 1:6). Then God gives him the prescription for success—success in His eyes, not the eyes of the world:

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:7 – 9

Father, “even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Ps. 23:4).