Earth has nothing I desire besides You

We chatted with Catholic women, asking what she believes and what her big questions are. She said she felt the injustice of her protracted pain and suffering (from an accident which left her with broken legs, a damaged spinal column and a brain injury), while others have an easy, trouble free life.

Having done months of thinking about Job, I found myself uselessly dumb stuck. What on earth do I say?! My friend pointed her to Psalm 73, where the despairing Asaph voiced those sentiments exactly. Why do the wicked prosper? The woman nodded and "hmmm"ed the Psalm unfolded. Asaph's turning point came when he saw God in his sanctuary, and realised the destiny of the wicked. And then he turned his eyes on God again and realised that he already has the most precious thing of all.

25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

Everything fades into the background. Asaph no longer longed for comfort, wealth and health. These goals are not worth comparing to being with God.

It's a very unconventional way of addressing questions of suffering. God comforts us in this: having God's nearness and favor trumps everything else. He has sent Jesus as a permanent reminder of this ~ his name is Immanuel, God with us. Even if God's people suffer from pain and poverty, we are infinitely better off than rich scoffers whose "bodies are fat and sleek" who will face God's judgment.

We thanked God that "... afterward you will take [us] into glory" (v.24) where there is no more pain, broken legs, but our bodies made new. And we will see Jesus in the flesh.