"But God”

Recently my friend let me know that she and her husband had a great shock. His serious medical condition had a solution— but that solution was not available to them. In her email she said that while fully looking at their situation, their stance now was to live in the truth of “...but God!”
My morning reading in Edges of His Ways, was written by Amy Carmichael a missionary to India, a woman who knew a lot about suffering, uncertainty and impossibilities. She too referred to the phrase “...but God.”  Carmichael mentioned Psalm 73:26. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
I hurried to Psalm 73 and considered the psalmist’s crisis and the process which led to his confident outlook.

When Asaph wrote Psalm 73 there was much going against him and the situation seemed overwhelming. He mused and muttered and then at one point turned to God for understanding. He even brought his “embittered heart” with him as he went to God. 

Folks just weren’t doing what was right and they were on his case. God showed Asaph the end of the matter and what was coming.  God would deal with Asaph’s detractors. God also clarified something else for the psalmist, something that put strength in his soul. Something Asaph must have forgotten until he turned to God.  This “something else” ultimately lead to Asaph’s “...but God” resolve in verse 26. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
After all his musing and muttering the psalmist goes on to say, even with an embitter heart, “Nevertheless I am continually with You” (verse 23).

I had to stop and ask myself where this assurance came from. The writer acknowledges an embittered heart and later a heart that may fail (verse 26). How can an individual with a heart so flawed and failing be assured of God’s help? My question was answered in the next phrase; “Nevertheless I am continually with You. You, God, have taken hold of my right hand. With Your counsel You will guide me, and afterwards receive me with glory.” This truth about God was the “something else” Asaph needed in his crisis.

You have taken hold of my right hand! 

You will guide me and 

afterwards receive me with glory.

What strength in that knowledge, that remembering. As the psalmist turns to Him, God gives reassurance of His part in the predicament which is draining Asaph. It is God who “grasps, guides, glorifies.”  

So often we hear, “Just hold on to God.” Still we know our strength is small and we are losing our grip. Is all lost then? No, no, a thousand times no! God is holding on to the hand of His child. Holding on to my hand and your hand. Such stability is beyond me at times. Such steadiness comes from Another. Hehas (past tense) taken hold of my hand. A hand that is now nail-pierced for my sake, a hand that guides and glorifies.

When I acknowledge and embrace the fact that God is holding me, I can say with the psalmist, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Our remembering “...but God...” can lead us to say “But as for me...!”

Psalm 73:28:
“But as for me, the nearness of God (He is holding my hand) is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge (by turning to Him)
that I may tell of all [His] works.”

Thank You, Lord God, that You are holding on to each of Your children, including us. With anticipation we look to You for our help, as did Asaph, as did Amy Carmichael and as are my friends mentioned above. We come in Jesus’ name. Amen

Carolyn Roper
Each morning I have been listening to a beautiful rendition of a song which encourages me: He Will Hold Me Fast  by Keith and Kristin Getty. May it encourage you also.

https://www.bing.com/search?q=he+will+hold+me+fast+youtube&qs=HS&pq=he+will+hold+me+fast&sc=8-20&cvid=1AF19B86D4C4408897ED0BD48A344944&FORM=QBLH&sp=1

He Will Hold Me Fast

(Lyrics)

When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast;
When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast.
I could never keep my hold through life's fearful path;
For my love is often cold; He must hold me fast.

He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast;
For my Saviour loves me so, He will hold me fast.

Those He saves are His delight, Christ will hold me fast;
Precious in his holy sight, He will hold me fast.
He'll not let my soul be lost; His promises shall last;
Bought by Him at such a cost, He will hold me fast.

For my life He bled and died, Christ will hold me fast;
Justice has been satisfied; He will hold me fast.
Raised with Him to endless life, He will hold me fast
‘Till our faith is turned to sight, When He comes at last!