It Is Good For Me

“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 thy works.” (Psalms 73:28)

The psalmist here writes this psalm as he is looking at the world. He writes how it seems that the wicked were prospering and having a full abundant life. He even says he was envious of them. He was questioning whether following the Lord was worth it or should he follow after the wickedness of the world. 

Then we see a verse in the middle of the chapter, “Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.” (Psalms 73:17) The psalmist says he goes where God is and then he understands the end of the evildoer’s path. You see, fulfilling the lust of the flesh and the pride of life only has one end. Verse 18, states that they are cast down to destruction. Living wickedly and sinning against God may seem fun in the moment, it may bring you temporary happiness, but the end is always destruction. In James, we see that when sin is finished, it bringeth forth death. 

Nothing good will ever come out of living wickedly, rebelling against God’s Word and fulfilling your own selfish desires. It will always end in destruction.

But let’s go to the end of the psalms. We see the psalmist declare “it is good for me to draw near to God.” The psalmist had looked around and saw the world having fun, living their “best life”, disobeying the commandments of God. He saw their prosperity and their happiness in that moment, but he also saw ahead. He saw where it ended in destruction. When he saw all of that, he came to the conclusion that it was good for him to draw near to God.

Why is it good to draw near to God?

He is always by my side.

“Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.” (Psalms 73:23)

You can’t hold someone’s hand unless they are next to you. It is good to draw near to God because He is already near to you. Get as close as you can to Him and you will see “it is good.”

He will always lead you.

“Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.” (Psalms 73:24)

God doesn’t want you to try to figure out life on your own. That is why He gave us His Word full of counsel, and if we follow the principles He has given, we will be blessed in our lives. 

He is everything I need.

“Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.” (Psalms 73:25)

No one and nothing else can be good to us like God can! God is all I need. Without Him we have nothing, with Him we have everything.

He is our strength.

“My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” (Psalms 73:26)

Even when we are weak, God is our strength. He will give us the strength we need to make it through every trial and storm we face. When we feel like we can’t go on, we can in His strength.

Should you draw near to God?

Yes!

IT IS GOOD FOR ME (AND YOU) TO DRAW NEAR TO GOD!