Psalm 73:25-26
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
On a recent Sunday, we read in church the account of David’s encounter with the angel of the Lord at Ornan’s threshing floor. Chronicles says that David saw the angel between heaven and earth. I’d like to know what that means and what that looks like and what David thought and how he knew. I’d like to understand the Standard Model of physics and how these momentary glimpses beyond earth fit into that model. The distance between heaven and earth may be only inches away.
But the truth is this: I tend to think of heaven as far away – distant and removed. And thus I tend to think of God the same way – distant and removed.
Many years ago, I began keeping a private journal. I entitled the journal “Intersection” because I live at a crossroads – where I long to see heaven and earth united instead of divided, where God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven.
I’d like to think that the 73rd psalmist here has something similar in mind, as he positions heaven and earth together in two separate verses back to back. In both heaven and earth, the writer’s desire is for God. Maybe he’s like me – in the dark a bit about what heaven is really like, but believing that all will be well if only God is there. And on earth, there is none to desire but God, for we are so very fragile. Every day, my heart fails and my flesh ages: the things I most want – relationship repair and recovery; openness and transparency; and love – seem most difficult to achieve.
But through Christ all will one day be reconciled to God. In fact, he promises just that. And with that news, my heart is lifted. He is truly my portion – my lot; my share received by gift or inheritance – forever.