November 25

Nevertheless I am continually with thee. - Psalms 73:23.

OBSERVE here the source of the Psalmist’s satisfaction; as if he had said, “What have I been doing? I have been dwelling on my trials instead of considering my blessings. I have been among creatures and have not turned from them unto my God.” But he now says, “Nevertheless, I am continually with thee.” There are several ways in which this may be considered.

First, He was with him by a realizing sense of his presence. God is continually with all his creatures, as their Witness and Observer; but they are not continually with him. Yea, they are never with him long. God is not in all their thoughts. Their concern is to get him out of their way and out of sight, saying unto God, “Depart from us; we desire not a knowledge of thy ways.” They say this by their vices, by their infidelity, and by their carelessness. But it is otherwise with a Christian; he does not live without God, but is continually with him in the world.

Secondly, He was continually with God, as he was in a state of friendship with him. It is obvious Asaph mentions the thing here as a privilege, therefore it supposes reconciliation with God. We commonly infer the degree of friendship from the degree of visitation. This is really the case with regard to God and the Christian. Yes, God is his hiding-place, his resting place, his dwelling-place. God is the home of his heart. The Apostle John says, “And truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.” And our Saviour says, “If a man love me he will keep my words, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with him.” And not only does the Christian dwell with God but in God. “God is love, and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”

Thirdly, He was so by his engagement in his service. If any difficulty attended this, we could point out an explanation from the Book of Revelation, where it is said, “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for he is the King of kings and Lord of lords, and they that are with him are called and chosen and faithful.” And so our Saviour said, “He that is not with me is against me.”

Mere neutrality here is inadmissible; we must be decided. There are only two parties-the world’s party and God’s party; and “he that will be the friend of the world is the enemy of God.” “Who,” says God, “will rise up for me against the evil-doers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity? “I will,” says David, “if there is no other individual to be found. Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred. I count them mine enemies.” Is this motto the motto of our lives? “Whose I am and whom I serve.” “I am continually with thee.”