Psalm 73:24-26
“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!”
This evil and deceitful world promises happiness to its votaries; and men, naturally carnal and earthly, are too willing to be deceived by it. Even the godly themselves are sometimes drawn aside by the world’s glittering delusions; but when the snare is broken, they see, and lament their folly! “I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you! Psalm 73:22.” David contrasted the mirth of the wicked with the troubles he had to conflict with, and was ready to conclude that the wicked had a better portion than himself, verses 3, 4, 5, 10, 12, 13, 14. But on deeper investigation, he found that their happiness was soon to end! verses 17-20. Whereas, however difficult his path at present was, God would guide him safely to the regions of eternal felicity! verse 23, 24.
Hence, as the result of his more deliberate judgment, he determines to take God as his only portion.
I. The Christian’s choice.
By nature, the Christian does not at all differ from those who are still in darkness. He once chose the world as the portion in which his soul delighted, but now he renounces it as sincerely as he ever loved it.
He does not indeed treat it with stoic indifference. He knows that wealth and honor are capable of important uses, and that, if God bestows them, they may be enjoyed, 1 Timothy 6:17. But he is well assured that they are not a satisfying portion; he is persuaded that our cares increase with our possessions, “As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them? Ecclesiastes 5:11”, and that Solomon’s testimony respecting the world is true, “Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun! Ecclesiastes 2:11.”
God is the supreme object of the Christian’s choice.
Before his conversion he could think as lightly of God as others, Job 21:15, but grace has altogether changed his opinions and desires! God appears to him now exceeding great and glorious. The love of God in sending his own Son to die for us, has made an indelible impression on his mind. Since the Christian has been enabled to see this mystery, all created beauties have vanished as the stars before the sun. There is nothing “on earth” which, in his eyes, can stand for one moment in comparison with his incarnate God. The pleasures, riches, and honors of the world seem lighter than vanity. By the cross of Christ he is utterly crucified to them all! Galatians 6:14. Without the Savior’s presence, there would be nothing desirable even “in Heaven” itself; the glorified saints and angels would have nothing to attract the soul, nor would the bright regions in which they dwell, be any better than darkness itself. Created glory would be utterly extinguished, if the Sun of righteousness were withdrawn! Revelation 21:23. The Christian has all in God; without him nothing.
Nor is this an exaggerated description of the Christian’s character.
The children of God in all ages have been of one mind in these respects. Though their attainments have been different, their aims have been the same.
David frequently expresses, in yet stronger terms, his desires after God, Psalm 42:1-2; Psalm 63:1-2, and declares that he coveted nothing so much as the divine presence, Psalm 27:4.
Paul had as much to glory in as any man whatever—yet he despised it all as dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ, Philippians 3:7-8.
Nor were these views peculiar to these distinguished servants of God, they were common to all the saints in the days of old, Isaiah 26:8-9; nor is there a true Christian now, who, if interrogated respecting true happiness, would not reply in the language of the Psalmist, “Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?” Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD! Psalm 4:6.”
However foolish such a choice may be thought by a blind and sensual world, it is perfectly rational and wise.
II. The reasons for the Christian’s choice
Whatever men choose, they invariably choose it under the idea that it is good for them. Now there is no created good that can be at all compared with God:
1. God is an ever-present portion.
We may possess many things—yet not have them with us in the time of necessity. Yes, we may be utterly deprived of them by fraud or violence. But God is everywhere present to afford us help; though we be immured in a dungeon, he can visit us; nor can any human power intercept his gracious communications. This was a reflection peculiarly grateful to the Psalmist, Psalm 139:7-10, and, doubtless, was an important ground on which he fixed his choice, Psalm 139:17-18.
2. God is an all-sufficient portion.
A man may enjoy all which this world can bestow, but: What can it avail him while racked with excruciating pains?
What relief can it afford him under the agonies of a guilty conscience?
Or what can it do to appease the fears of death?
But there is no situation wherein God is not a suitable portion. In the possession of earthly blessings, God’s presence will greatly enhance our enjoyment of them. In the absence of all temporal comforts, with him we can feel no lack, 1 Corinthians 3:21-23 and 2 Corinthians 6:10. A view of God as our friend will allay every fear, and assuage every pain; nor, having him, can we lack any other thing that is truly good for us, Psalm 34:9-10.
3. God is an eternal portion.
However long we retain earthly things, we must part with them at last. Death will reduce us to a level with the poorest of mankind, nor can we carry anything along with us into the invisible world! Psalm 49:17. But, if God is ours, we shall possess him forever. We are not left without many rich communications from him now; yes, sometimes, even in this valley of tears, our joy in him is unspeakable, 1 Peter 1:8. But it is not until after death that we shall have the full enjoyment of him. Now we taste of the streams; then we shall drink at the fountain-head. Now our capacity to enjoy him is but small; then all our faculties will be wonderfully enlarged. Now our delight in him is transient; then it will be without intermission or end! Psalm 16:11. Hence the Psalmist looked forward to that period for his full satisfaction, Psalm 17:15.
INFERENCES.
1. How little true piety there is in the world!
If to be called after the name of Christ were sufficient, his flock would be large. If to attend his ordinances and profess his faith were enough, there would be many on the way to Heaven. But God will judge us, not according to our professions, but our practice. That, which alone can constitute us truly pious, is, to choose God for our portion. Can we then, like David, appeal to God himself, that we do this? Could we make Peter’s reply to the question which was put to him, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love yo! John 21:17.” Does the ardor of our devotions attest the strength of our desires after God? Have we the same evidence of our supreme regard for him, that the sensualist or worldling have of their love to the things of time and sense? Let us be assured that God can never be our portion, unless we deliberately choose him in preference to all others.
2. How enviable is the true Christian!
He can adopt the language of David, Psalm 16:5, and of the ancient church, Song of Solomon 5:10. Hence, however destitute he may seem to be, he needs envy none; he is freed from the cares which corrode the hearts of others; he is sure, not of attaining only, but of possessing forever, the object of his desires, and that, in proportion as he delights in God, his God will delight in him! Zephaniah 3:17. Surely we cannot but subscribe to the truth of that assertion, “Blessed are the people whose God is the LORD! Psalm 144:15.”
Let us then beg of God to deliver us from the love of this present evil world, and so to cast the mantle of his love upon us, that we may both follow him and serve him forever!
Charles Simeon