Week 37: My Portion

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 (ESV)

Every year around the Mid-Autumn Festival comes a good time to look back and dwell on all there is to be thankful for. In some years, this comes easy, as we look back on a full year of blessings, joy, and comfort. But in some years, it is a lot more difficult. I am sure that this past year has been so, so difficult for many of us. Some of us are spending Mid-Autumn alone and separated from family. Some of us have lost family and friends to the COVID pandemic. Some of us have lost jobs and stability. Some of us struggle with mental health issues. There are times in life when thankfulness just does not come easily.

Thank God from whom all blessings flow, and thank Him even more that our hope is found not ONLY in His material blessings. Truly, all that we have, from our possessions to our families, is from Him. However, when all else fails, we still have Him.

As the psalmist writes, there is nothing on earth that we should desire besides God, because He is the strength of our heart and our portion forever. In times of sickness and grief, and when we are losing hope or losing health, He is our portion nonetheless.

One thing to be thankful for: God is constantly present with us. Even when we feel inconsolably alone, He is still holding our hand. He is still with us, and remains our strength and our delight.

Hallelujah, indeed! What a God we serve, and what a Savior we have! Take time today, alone or with your friends and family, to look back on the past year. Perhaps it is difficult to do so, for the past is filled with pain. Nonetheless, realize that God was there through it all, and is here with you still.