Creating a Renewed Trust
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Key Verse: “My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” Selected Scripture: |
CREATING A GREATER TRUST in God, and the power of his blessing, should be an important and essential part of every Christian’s endeavor. This lesson’s Key Verse emphasizes the fact that if we attempt to rely on our own flesh and strength we will surely fail. If we turn to God, however, and rely on him, his strength will be our ‘portion for ever.’
The signs of the times indicate that we are now living in the closing years of the Gospel Age harvest. We witness the days becoming more stressful, with increasing violence everywhere. Wickedness and evil are rampant in all parts of the world. To remain faithful in our walk as New Creatures in Christ Jesus, we must turn to the Lord for all our strength and spiritual well-being.
In this seventy-third Psalm, our attention is first directed toward those who may have a worldly spirit and are spiritually weak. The psalmist says, “As for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” (Ps. 73:2,3) The unrighteous may be prosperous, but they are compassed about with pride and vanity, while they are clothed with garments of violence. (vs. 6) We further note that, “Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.” (vss. 7-9) These are serious issues concerning those who have wandered away from having their full trust and confidence in God.
The psalmist then directs our attention to the true children of God by saying, “His people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out of them.” (vs. 10) Those who desire to abide with the Lord realize the awful condition of the worldly spirit and thus seek to separate themselves from the world and all of its unholy influences. They return to a closer walk with our Lord Jesus. In doing so they will drink of the cup of affliction that is experienced by such.
Having examined his own heart condition he continues, “My heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.” (vss. 21,22) The psalmist confesses that being envious of the prosperity of the wicked was foolishness indeed, and such action must be put aside.
“Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.” (vss. 23,24) These are wonderful words as uttered by one who possesses a true and contrite heart that is full of love and devotion for the Lord Jesus and our Heavenly Father. The reward for turning to God for counsel and direction is the opportunity of being faithful to our calling, which promises glory to follow in his kingdom.
One of the most valuable lessons any of the Lord’s people may learn is to acknowledge our own insufficiencies. Our Key Verse says, ‘My flesh and my heart faileth; but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.’ Let us continue to give heed to that counsel.