Yet I Am Continually With Thee

When I read Psalm 73 as a whole, I felt as though I was reading parts of my own life.

For a long time, I struggled with envy. I looked at other people—their lives, their progress, what they had, where they were going—and I compared myself with them. Like Asaph, I wondered why others seemed to prosper while I was struggling. The psalmist says:

“For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”

— Psalm 73:3 (KJV)

There is something very honest about this psalm. Asaph does not pretend that his heart was always in the right place. He admits that his feet had almost slipped. Later he even says:

“So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.”

— Psalm 73:22 (KJV)

Those words spoke deeply to me. When I look back at myself, I cannot even say, “I did everything right and still suffered.” I made mistakes. I struggled with pride. I compared myself with others. My heart was not always where it needed to be. Psalm 73 begins:

“Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.”

— Psalm 73:1 (KJV)

And when I read that, I had to be honest with myself. My heart was not always pure. There were things God needed to expose, correct, and change in me. But then I came to verse 23:

“Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.”

Nevertheless.

That word means so much to me. I had been foolish. Nevertheless, He was with me. I had been envious. Nevertheless, He was with me. I had been prideful. Nevertheless, He was with me. I had made mistakes. Nevertheless, He was holding my hand.

God's mercy does not mean that He approves of everything in our hearts. He loves us enough to reveal what is wrong and lead us into repentance. But He also does not throw us away while He is changing us.

That is what has been so precious to me lately. I can see God restoring me step by step. He is changing the way I think. He is teaching me not to measure my life by somebody else's life. He is showing me that envy only makes my own heart miserable.

Asaph's perspective changed when he entered the presence of God:

“Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.”

— Psalm 73:17 (KJV)

His circumstances did not suddenly become perfect. His perspective changed. And that is what God has been doing in me. Instead of constantly looking around, He is teaching me to look at Him. Instead of asking, *“Why do they have this and I don't?”* He is teaching me to say, *“Lord, You are with me. You are leading me. You know the path You have for my life.”* Psalm 73 continues:

“Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.”

— Psalm 73:24 (KJV)

The same hand that holds us is the hand that guides us. God did not leave me where I was. He is correcting me, humbling me, restoring me, and leading me forward and today I am simply thankful.

Not because I have everything figured out.
Not because my heart has always been right.
But because even when I was foolish, God was still holding my right hand.

Reflection

Is comparison or envy quietly stealing your gratitude? Instead of looking at what God has given someone else, ask Him to show you where He is already holding, guiding, correcting, and restoring you. Sometimes the greatest evidence of God's goodness is not that everything around us changes immediately, but that He changes our heart while continuing to hold our hand.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for not letting go of me. Forgive me for the times I have compared my life with others, allowed envy into my heart, or walked in pride. Thank You for showing me what needs to change instead of leaving me where I was. Your Word says, “Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.” Thank You for holding me even while You are correcting me. Thank You for restoring my heart step by step. Teach me to stop looking around and to keep my eyes upon You. Give me a clean heart, a humble spirit, and a thankful life. Guide me with Your counsel and help me trust the path You have chosen for me. In Jesus' name, Amen.