But God Part 6 Is My Portion

When Grace Enters the Situation

Text: Psalm 73:1–26 (ESV)

Not every crisis is caused by suffering.

Some are caused by success—especially when it belongs to the wrong people.

Psalm 73 is not written from a battlefield or a prison cell. It is written from the inner turmoil of a faithful man who nearly lost his footing while watching the prosperity of the wicked.

This is the struggle of comparison. The quiet erosion of faith that happens when obedience feels unrewarded and rebellion appears to flourish.

And in the middle of spiritual confusion, Scripture gives us another turning point.

But God is my portion forever.

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A Faith That Almost Failed (Psalm 73:1–3)

“But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped.”

Asaph begins with honesty that surprises us. He does not pretend strength where there was weakness.

His envy was not momentary. It was corrosive.

He saw arrogant people prospering. They seemed healthy, wealthy, carefree, and unaccountable.

Meanwhile, Asaph’s obedience appeared costly.

Comparison distorted his vision.

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The Illusion of Easy Living (Psalm 73:4–12)

The wicked appeared untouched by trouble. They spoke with arrogance, lived without restraint, and dismissed accountability.

To Asaph, it seemed that faithfulness was a losing strategy.

This is a dangerous place for the believer—when appearances are mistaken for reality.

Prosperity can hide decay.

Ease can disguise emptiness.

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A Crisis of Meaning (Psalm 73:13–16)

“All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence.”

Here is the lowest point.

Asaph questions whether obedience is worth it at all.

But notice what restrains him.

He does not abandon faith publicly. He does not spread his doubt recklessly.

He wrestles honestly—but carefully.

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The Sanctuary Perspective (Psalm 73:17)

“Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.”

This is the turning point.

Nothing about the wicked had changed.

But Asaph’s perspective did.

In the presence of God, the illusion collapsed. Prosperity was temporary. Security was fragile. Judgment was real.

Worship realigned his vision.

The sanctuary restored truth.

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Grace in Personal Collapse (Psalm 73:21–24)

Asaph confesses his bitterness and ignorance.

Yet instead of rejection, he discovers something remarkable.

“Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.”

Even while Asaph doubted, God was holding him.

Grace did not wait for perfect faith.

It sustained imperfect faith.

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The But God Moment (Psalm 73:25–26)

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.”

Here it is.

Everything else fades—strength, wealth, reputation, success.

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

God Himself is the reward.

Not circumstances.

Not outcomes.

Him.

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The Gospel Thread

Jesus lived this truth perfectly.

He did not pursue earthly gain. He did not envy power. He did not compromise obedience for comfort.

He entrusted Himself fully to the Father.

At the cross, it appeared He had lost everything.

But God raised Him.

And in Christ, we gain what cannot be taken away.

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Living in This “But God” Moment

You may feel weary of doing right.

You may feel overlooked, discouraged, or tempted to compare.

Psalm 73 reminds us that faith is not about having all the answers—it is about knowing who holds us.

Strength may fail.

Circumstances may disappoint.

But God is still your portion.

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A Final Word

Psalm 73 teaches us that faith sometimes wavers—not because God is absent, but because our vision becomes distorted.

God does not abandon us in our doubt.

He meets us in it.

If your heart feels weak today, remember this truth:

Everything else may fade.

But God remains.

He is your strength.

He is your inheritance.

He is your portion forever.

Grace is still entering the situation.