The Pastor’s Quill
October 25, 2009
Psalms 73:28, “But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works” (NKJV).
“Good” is a word that can be used in a very general sense. It can be applied with a very wide brush to just about anything. Throughout most of the early portion of this Psalm, the psalmist was frustrated because of how “good” the wicked were having it. They had the easy life, the houses, the stuff, and the “good” times. Yes, they seemed to have it all. In fact, the psalmist looked so intently at how “good” they had it that he thought of jumping ship. Yes, he contemplated leaving the ranks of the innocent and righteous to join up with the wickedly unjust.
But, his alarm of sensibility and conviction set in. Suddenly, he realized their place was only temporary. It may look like they were getting by like fat cats, but their feet in life were on slippery places in light of eternity. In just a moment they could be brought down to utter desolation.
In this, the psalmist also had another realization. He spoke to the Lord and said, “I am with You… continually! ” (v.23). He realized he had allowed “good” things and stuff to distract him from what was eternal peace, contentment, happiness, and joy. Those things could come from only ONE place: the presence of God.
With this is mind, it would do us well to evaluate our lives and ask, “What is good?” Well, what is it? According to this eternal Word from the Holy Spirit written by the pen of a man we could deduce this fact: “It is GOOD to draw near to the presence of God!” There are no slippery places there; only secure places indeed. Everything we need can be found there—in His presence. After all, every “good” and perfect gift in life comes from Him (James 1:17)! One can have the “good” stuff, but not have God. Or, one can realize the “good” we find in the ability to draw near to Him and all the “stuff” He blesses us with is simply a fringe benefit.
Pastor Tim Hodge
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