What refreshment awaits you! What joy! All we have to do is to pause and appreciate Christ in our midst as we do whatever we’re doing – like right now!
Psalm 73 is a great help along these lines. This prayer of Asaph is a deep well that offers us Living Water for our thirsty souls. His heart for God is infectious. By praying his words we can grow in our devotion to the Lord. And when we submit our whole selves to God heaven opens up to us! Whole-hearted dedication to love God in all things is the key to the treasure chest of God’s promises.
So come with me. Let’s converse with Jesus and ask him to help us draw water from the well, even as the Samaritan woman did in John 4. Let’s use Asaph’s prayer to connect us with the Messiah who fulfilled all the Psalms, our Savior and Life-Giver:
Psalm 73 (Condensed)
Surely God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
I had nearly lost my foothold.
For I envied the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked…
till I entered the sanctuary of God;
then I understood their final destiny…
When my heart was grieved
and my spirit embittered,
I was senseless and ignorant:
I was a brute beast before you.
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.
Those who are far from you will perish;
you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.
(Psalm 73:1-3, 17, 21-28).
This condensed version of Psalm 73 is a good size to memorize. Tucked away in your heart it’s easy to pull out anytime to use as a “pocket lighter” to warm your heart for prayer (like Martin Luther taught).
Try Smile with Jesus in your Heart. It’s a Breath Prayer inspired by Psalm 73.
