The 73rd Psalm was written by Asaph, and addresses an issue that could challenge all of us at one moment or another:
PS 73:2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.
PS 73:3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Have you ever felt like people who don’t care what God thinks are advancing in their lives while you, as a follower of Jesus, are suffering; struggling to get by? Asaph goes on to express how this made him feel:
PS 73:13 Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.
PS 73:14 All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning.
When we are trying to tell people how badly they need Jesus, they often don’t see it because of these very things. Visibly, they seem to have it all while we have very little, yet we are saying they should want what we have. Sometimes, we even struggle to believe that they can learn anything from us. We may “almost slip”; we may “almost lose our foothold” (v.2).
So what answer does Asaph come up with for us? How do we keep from “envying the arrogant” (v.3)?
PS 73:16 When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me
PS 73:17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.
We need to constantly come back to the Word of God, taught in the Sanctuary of God. We need to be reminded that this world is fading away, and what we are receiving has not yet been made completely known, or revealed. But the fate of those who are lost will not be changed by their money or power or fame, here on Earth. Only what we have – the Name of Jesus Christ – can change that for them.
PS 73:24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
Asaph had the understanding of glory that waits for us after this life is through. While we are here, God guides us. When we die, He will take us into His glory. Meanwhile:
PS 73:27 Those who are far from you will perish;…
This is not something we rejoice about, but rather a reminder that we do have something that they need.
This life is not all there is. Better to suffer for a little while and then have an eternity of heaven, then to have it easy for this life, and suffer an eternity of hell.
And so, we say, along with the Apostle Peter, in Acts 3:6:
AC 3:6 Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. …the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth… ."
Hope is found nowhere else, but the Name of Jesus, and the Salvation He has brought us.
Maybe you feel like your life as a Christian has been harder than many who do not follow Jesus, but don’t let your foot slip; don’t lose your foothold. Follow God’s guidance throughout your life, and come to the Sanctuary of His Word, often, to remember that this is all about eternity, not the moment.
