I have no good apart from You

God had a gift prepared for me in the early hours of the morning. 

I couldn’t sleep tonight, as I grieved a friend’s deep loss, missed loved ones far away and anxiety smeared across every thought. I got up and began pouring over the Psalms. And God met with me.

“Yahweh, You are my Lord. I have no good apart from You” (Psalm 16:2).

I have no good apart from You. No good. The one treasure I have on this earth is Jesus Christ, my Lord, my Lover, my Savior. How could I ever lose sight of this? I long for other things, but the One who makes those things good in the first place is right here with me. The only reason those good things exist is to point me back to the Creator, the One who gave me the ability to have relationships and love in the first place. Why should I desire anything else when the ultimate desire of my heart holds me in His arms? “What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8). Jesus looks at the things I ask for and knows they are trash compared to an intimate relationship with Him. Instead of giving me trash, He places the most precious pearl in my hand - Himself. My Savior knows me, more deeply than anyone could (Ps 139:1). He has been present with me through the rich and dry seasons of my life (Matt 28:20, Heb 13:5). He speaks gently to me (John 10:27, Hosea 2:14). He is a refuge for me when I am pelted by the storm (Ps 46:1). He desperately loves me, when no one else could (Rom 5:8, Eph 2:4).

I have no good apart from You. Why am I surprised at loss, suffering and pain? This world has nothing to offer except that which points me back to Jesus. I should expect anything else to bear the symptoms of darkness. 

And I will fall asleep to this reminder…

All I know is I’m not home yet

This is not where I belong

Take this world and give me Jesus

This is not where I belong

(Building 429 “Where I Belong”)

May God give me the perseverance and courage to dedicate my life on this earth, however long it may be, to sharing this beautiful gift with people.