My Forever Portion

"Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Psalm 73:25-26 NKJ)

Author and theologian C. S. Lewis wrote, "It would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong but too weak. We are far too easily pleased." What a comment on human desire! Upon reflection, I have to admit that lesser, earthly things do distract me.

Recently, my son Jonathan, asked me about two choices he was considering. He asked me which of those two opportunities he should pursue. I said to him, "Which one do you want to do?"  Perhaps there is too much "self-help" philosophy in that response and not enough biblical theology. Of course, this is not to be too narrow. I am simply reflecting on God and my desire for him.

If God is my focus;  If God is my desire; If God is my portion; If God is strength, then my physical and spiritual desires will reflect God's will rather than my own. And in many cases, this will look and sound  quirky to others around me who might be distracted by lesser things of the earth. I may even be accused of being "so heavenly minded that I am no earthly good."

I note, however, that the Psalmist started out with "less than holy" desires. He wanted material prosperity. He was envious of those with more stuff. And despite his distraction from God's best, God continued to guide him toward a divine focus. He finally concluded, "God is my portion forever."

This reminds me of Psalm 37:4 (NKJ), "Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart." If my heart is set on lesser things, then I can easily misinterpret this wonderful promise of God, thinking it will guarantee my wish list. Yet, the scriptural focus is toward the Lord and his will, rather than my wish list.

If I trust in God; If I will not fret about or envy the evildoers; If I commit my way unto God; If I delight myself in God, then he deposits his desires into my spirit. They become my desires and, of course, I achieve them. What a difference! God is my portion forever!

Dear Father, thank you for the desires that you put in my heart. Empower me with a delight for you that overrides all other desires. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN

Today decide that God is your portion forever.  Who else is there for you?