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As For Me


26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. 27 Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. 28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do. 
(Psalm 73:26-28, NLT)

This morning I was discouraged thinking about a loved one who is far away from God. I so badly want this person to repent from their sin and turn to God. I want them to experience the joy and happiness of a right relationship with God, not His righteous judgment for their sin.

But at the end of the day, I’m not responsible for them. I don’t get to make that choice—it’s up to them. I can pray, I can speak the truth in love, but I can’t turn them back to God. What I am responsible for is me. My own relationship with God.

That’s what the Psalmist is saying here. There is a frightening destiny for those who refuse to turn to God.

But as for me…

I can’t control what others do with the truth. I can’t make others be close to God. But I CAN make that decision for myself. I can choose to be near God. And how good it is! Other people might not choose to be close to God, but I do. It is good to be near God, to feel His presence, to have a close walk with Him.

As for me…

So that’s my resolve. I will stay close to God. He is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Whom have I in heaven but Him? There is nothing on earth I desire more than Him. I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

How about you? Will you choose to be close to God today?

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