“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
In plain words: My body and my heart will get tired and sometimes give out, but God holds me up on the inside, and He is all I need, now and always.
What Psalm 73:26 means.
The psalmist admits his heart and body fail, but God remains his strength and his portion forever.
Common questions about Psalm 73:26
What does "portion" mean here?
A portion is your share, the part that belongs to you. Long ago, God's people divided up land, and each family got a portion to live on and depend on. The writer of this psalm says something bold. His real share in life is not land or success. It is God Himself. Earlier in the psalm, he felt jealous of people who had more than he did (Psalm 73:3). Then he saw that having God is better than having everything else. Things can be lost. God does not run out.
Apply it today: Name one thing you lean on to feel safe, and tell God you want to lean on Him more.
Is it okay that my body and heart feel weak?
Yes. The writer does not pretend to be strong. He says plainly that his body and heart may fail. That is honest, and God welcomes honesty. Feeling worn out does not mean your faith is broken. Look at what he says next: God is the strength of his heart. The strength does not come from him. It comes from God. Another part of the Bible says God's power shows up best when we are weak (2 Corinthians 12:9). You do not have to hold it all together.
Apply it today: Tell God today, in your own words, exactly where you feel tired or weak.
How can God be my strength if I can't see Him?
The Bible says God is near to those who come to Him. A few verses later, the writer says that being close to God is his good (Psalm 73:28). You come close by talking to God in prayer, reading what He has said in the Bible, and trusting Jesus, who promised to be with His followers always (Matthew 28:20). You may not feel strong right away. But you are not facing the day alone, and God's strength does not run out the way ours does.
Apply it today: Pray a short, honest prayer today, even one sentence, asking God to be your strength.
Ask anything about it.
Every question gets a clear answer in seconds, and a way to live it today.
Live it today.
When you feel like you have nothing left today, say this verse. God is still your portion.
Pray it back.
God, my heart is failing, but You are my strength and my portion forever.
Carry it all day.
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One verse every morning at 7 a.m. your time. Leave any time.