DECEMBER 3, 2014
Whose
Side Are You On?
Read: Psalm
73
It is good for me to draw near to God. —Psalm
73:28
In the heat of the
American Civil War, one of President Lincoln’s advisors said he was grateful
that God was on the side of the Union. Lincoln replied, “Sir, my concern is not
whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God
is always right.”
What a great challenge
for us who assume that God is there to support our plans, our perspectives, our
decisions, and our desires. However, Lincoln’s reply reminds us that even our
best plans may not be near to what God desires.
Clearly the psalmist
wants to be on God’s side when he pleads, “Search me, O God, and know my heart;
. . . and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way
everlasting” (Ps. 139:23-24). When we follow the psalmist’s example to “draw
near to God” (73:28), we can be certain that we are on His side, as His Spirit
helps us measure every thought and action by His ways that are always right.
So, let’s ask
ourselves: Are we on the Lord’s side? Being on His side means that we will
reflect His love to the world around us in the way we interact with others. We
will forgive, treat others justly, and seek peace. God’s ways are always best.
Father, teach us to search Your ways so that
we may
know how to be on Your side of the critical
issues in
life. Thank You that when we draw near to You,
You
draw near to us with gifts of wisdom and
discernment.
When
you draw near to God, you are sure to be on His side.
Insight
Embittered by the
prosperity of the wicked and his own suffering, Asaph complained of life’s
unfairness. When reminded of God’s presence, providence, and provision in his
life (Ps. 73:23-26) and the punishment awaiting the wicked (vv.18-19,27), Asaph
reaffirmed his trust in God and drew near to Him (v.28).
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012