DEVOTION – DAY 442

Psalm 73:26 “God Is The Strength Of My Heart”

Psalm 73:26 “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Psalm 73 was written by Asaph. He was the leader of one of King David’s three choirs from the tribe of Levi. Asaph was also a Levite. Levites in ancient times were not given a portion of the Promised Land. They were to be part of the priesthood. The Lord would be their portion in the Promised Land – they were to live by the people’s offerings or tithes, that the people dedicated to the Lord. Thus, Asaph rightly sang praises to the Lord for He would be his portion forever. He also confessed in this verse that God is the sustainer and preserver of the life of those who put their faith and trust in Him. This is the same confession and faith that all Christians make about God. God is the strength of our hearts. He is all we need, for He is our portion forever. We live by Him alone.

Corrie Ten Boom was a watchmaker in Holland when the second world war broke out in Europe. She and her family were active in the Dutch Resistance movement. They sheltered Jews at great risk to their own personal safety. They trusted in the Lord. They continued sheltering Jews until a Dutch informer reported them to the German Gestapo in 1944. Corrie, her sister Betsie and their father, Caspar were arrested. Caspar died 12 days later. Corrie and Betsie were sent to a concentration camp in Germany. 

At the camp, they provided help to many of their fellow women prisoners. Their faith in the Lord touched many prisoners who also converted to Christianity. But Corrie and Betsie’s faith in God remained strong because God was their strength and their portion forever. Even when Betsie’s health failed and she became seriously ill, their faith in God did not weaken. Betsie died on 16 Dec 1944. Twelve days later, Corrie was surprisingly released from the concentration camp. She was allowed to return to Holland. Later, Corrie found out that the concentration camp clerk had made an error and released her by mistake. In fact, a few weeks after her release, all the women prisoners of her age group were sent to die in the gas chambers. God had intervened and delivered her from certain death. Corrie also later forgave her German captors. She did not want to be burdened by hatred. She chose to love her enemies instead. God enabled her to forgive the people who made her life a misery. 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, You are our Defender and source of our strength. You watch our watchful Shepherd. Thank you for sustaining and preserving us in the face of adversity. We give you praise and thanks. In the wonderful name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Questions

  1. What pressures and challenges are you facing? Share.
  2. Will you trust the Lord to sustain and preserve you through these difficulties? Will you trust in God’s perfect timing for you?
  3. How has God sustained you in the past? Share.
  4. If you are a Christian, how has God been your portion and strength forever? Share and discuss.