God, My Portion Forever

The psalmist Asaph had nearly lost his footing, envying the prosperity of the wicked, troubled that the godless seemed to have it all. But in God's presence his perspective was restored, and it rose to this magnificent summit: Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. He had discovered the deepest secret of a content and grateful heart, that God Himself is the treasure, and having Him, we have everything that finally matters.

This is contentment at its root. We chase a hundred things on earth, imagining that this acquisition or that achievement will satisfy us. But Asaph, restored, can say that there is nothing in heaven or on earth he desires besides God, not because the gifts are nothing, but because the Giver so eclipses them. And he adds the words every aging, weakening, mortal heart needs: "My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." When everything else fails, strength, health, possessions, life itself, God remains, our unfailing portion. The one who has God as his portion can lose everything else and still possess his treasure.

Make God Himself your portion today. When your heart reaches for lesser things to satisfy it, return to Asaph's discovery: having God, you have all you finally need.