Text (Psalm 73:23–26, ESV):
“23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
1. God’s Presence is Constant – Psalm 73:23 — “Nevertheless, I am continually with you…”
a. God remains near even when we doubt. – Deuteronomy 31:6 — “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
b. We are never abandoned, even in our inner turmoil. – Isaiah 41:10 — “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God…”
2. God Holds Us Steadfastly – Psalm 73:23 — “…you hold my right hand.”
a. This speaks of personal care and intimate help. – Isaiah 41:13 — “For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Fear not, I am the one who helps you.’”
b. God holds us even when we lose grip. – John 10:28 — “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”
3. God Guides with His Counsel – Psalm 73:24 — “You guide me with your counsel…”
a. His Word gives light and wisdom. – Psalm 119:105 — “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
b. His Spirit leads us into truth. – John 16:13 — “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth…”
4. God’s Guidance Is Ongoing and Active – Psalm 73:24 — “You guide me…”
a. He leads through seasons of confusion. – Isaiah 30:21 — “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it…’”
b. He never ceases to shepherd His people. – Psalm 23:3 — “He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
5. Our Future is Secured by God’s Glory – Psalm 73:24 — “…and afterward you will receive me to glory.”
a. God has prepared a glorious end for His people. – Romans 8:18 — “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
b. We are welcomed into eternal fellowship. – John 14:3 — “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself…”
6. God Alone is Our Ultimate Desire – Psalm 73:25 — “Whom have I in heaven but you?”
a. All other glories pale next to God. – Philippians 3:8 — “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”
b. Heaven is glorious because God is there. – Revelation 21:3 — “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man…”
7. Earthly Desires Fade Before God – Psalm 73:25 — “And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.”
a. Loving God above all is our calling. – Mark 12:30 — “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul…”
b. Earthly riches cannot satisfy the soul. – 1 John 2:17 — “And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
8. We Acknowledge Human Weakness – Psalm 73:26 — “My flesh and my heart may fail…”
a. Our bodies and emotions are frail. – 2 Corinthians 4:16 — “Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”
b. Even saints struggle with despair and limits. – Psalm 42:5 — “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?”
9. God is the Strength of Our Hearts – Psalm 73:26 — “…but God is the strength of my heart…”
a. He empowers us when we are weak. – 2 Corinthians 12:9 — “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
b. He renews the broken and weary soul. – Isaiah 40:29 — “He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.”
10. God is Our Eternal Portion – Psalm 73:26 — “…and my portion forever.”
a. He is our inheritance and reward. – Lamentations 3:24 — “The LORD is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him.”
b. This portion is eternal, never fading. = 1 Peter 1:4 — “An inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you…”
11. God Replaces All That We Lose – Psalm 73:25–26 — “Whom have I in heaven but you? … God is the strength of my heart…”
a. When all else fails, God remains. – Habakkuk 3:17–18 — “Though the fig tree should not blossom… yet I will rejoice in the Lord…”
b. He fills every void and satisfies our soul. – Psalm 16:11 — “In your presence there is fullness of joy…”
12. This Confession Comes Through Trial
Psalm 73 Context — Asaph wrestles with envy and doubt.
a. Faith is strengthened through honesty and struggle.
Psalm 73:16–17 — “But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God…”
b. God brings us back to trust through grace.
James 1:2–3 — “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds…”
“My Portion Forever” – “Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:23–26)
These words are born out of struggle. Asaph had wrestled with envy, confusion, and doubt—watching the wicked prosper while the righteous seemed to suffer. But in the sanctuary, he saw clearly. He was not alone. God had never left him.
Even when we are unsure, God’s hand is on us. He holds us. He guides us. He sustains us. When our hearts collapse under fear or our bodies feel weak from grief or sickness, God is still our portion—our lasting inheritance.
He is not only our guide in this life, but our destination in the next. Heaven is not about golden streets or pearly gates—it is about being with God. Asaph realized he had no one in heaven but God—and nothing on earth compared to Him.
Let these verses renew your mind today. They are not only for those walking through hardship—they are a confession of delight, an anchor in confusion, and a declaration of worship.
Encouragement for Application:
- Cling to God’s presence when you feel weak.
- Allow His Word to guide your thoughts and steps.
- Remember that earthly things will always fall short.
- Pray for a heart that desires God above all else.
- Declare daily: “God is my portion forever.”
Prayer:
O Lord, even when I do not see clearly, You are near. When my strength is gone, You hold my right hand. You counsel me in confusion and lead me to glory. Help me desire nothing more than You. Let my heart say with joy: “God is my portion forever.” Remind me that You are my eternal inheritance, my strength, and my everything. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
You Are My Portion
You hold my hand when I stumble,
You speak when my voice fades,
You stand when I collapse in silence,
You see the wound I try to hide,
You do not leave.
You guide my thoughts through shadows,
You counsel when I am lost,
You walk with me beyond despair,
You shape the path I cannot trace,
You are the light.
You are not far when I am numb,
You are not quiet when I cry,
You are not still in my sorrow,
You are not weak when I am failing,
You are near.
You are more than I can gather,
You are greater than all I lose,
You are better than what tempts me,
You are deeper than desire,
You are enough.
You are the end of striving,
You are the peace that stays,
You are the strength when I am finished,
You are my portion forever,
You are my God.