Why does God treat the wicked so well? That is the question
of Psalm 73. Asaph has pondered this matter and comes to a conclusion. He opens
with the conclusion.
Psalm 73:1
Surely God is good to Israel, To those who are pure in heart!
Surely God is good to Israel, To those who are pure in heart!
As Christians we know that. Yet as we walk through this life
we can almost slip from His hands if we let ourselves get caught up in the
world and lose our eternal perspective.
Psalm 73:2
But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling, My steps had almost slipped.
But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling, My steps had almost slipped.
We get envious of those with all the money and power. We
want to look like the stars of Hollywood and own big homes on the beach. Even
the drug dealers drive better cars than we do. We covet what they have.
Sometimes it seems God just blesses them and then leaves them alone even they
say and do things that contradict His holiness. Some of them even get to die an
easy death.
Psalm 73:3-12
For I was envious of the arrogant As I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no pains in their death, And their body is fat. They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like mankind. Therefore pride is their necklace; The garment of violence covers them. Their eye bulges from fatness; The imaginations of their heart run riot. They mock and wickedly speak of oppression; They speak from on high. They have set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue parades through the earth. Therefore his people return to this place, And waters of abundance are drunk by them. They say, "How does God know? And is there knowledge with the Most High?" Behold, these are the wicked; And always at ease, they have increased in wealth.
For I was envious of the arrogant As I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no pains in their death, And their body is fat. They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like mankind. Therefore pride is their necklace; The garment of violence covers them. Their eye bulges from fatness; The imaginations of their heart run riot. They mock and wickedly speak of oppression; They speak from on high. They have set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue parades through the earth. Therefore his people return to this place, And waters of abundance are drunk by them. They say, "How does God know? And is there knowledge with the Most High?" Behold, these are the wicked; And always at ease, they have increased in wealth.
We question why we try to be like Jesus. Why do we give our
money to the church? Why do I have to let people talk to me that way? Why do I have
to be the one who says “I’m sorry.”?
Psalm 73:13-14
Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure And washed my hands in innocence; For I have been stricken all day long And chastened every morning.
Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure And washed my hands in innocence; For I have been stricken all day long And chastened every morning.
But we do go to church and we read His Word. We don’t want
to our youth to grow up without knowing the truth of faith in God.
Psalm 73:15
If I had said, "I will speak thus," Behold, I would have betrayed the generation of Your children.
If I had said, "I will speak thus," Behold, I would have betrayed the generation of Your children.
But sometimes we just can’t help it. So we listen to talk
radio and we see the world. We try and understand.
Psalm 73:16
When I pondered to understand this, It was troublesome in my sight
When I pondered to understand this, It was troublesome in my sight
The psalmist now tells us how to get past this coveting
nature we carry.
Psalm 73:17
Until I came into the sanctuary of God; Then I perceived their end.
Until I came into the sanctuary of God; Then I perceived their end.
He went into the sanctuary of God. That is what we must do.
Open the Bible and read of God’s faithfulness. Go to church and listen to the
sermons. Sing songs of praise. Make your offerings to God. Go to your prayer
closet where you have access to the very creator of the universe. Go into the
sanctuary of God.
The word of God reminds us to remember eternity. In this
life we shall have troubles. Jesus promised. But in the next we shall bask in
the glory of almighty God. But the wicked; their fate in eternity is not good.
Psalm 73:18-20
Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. How they are destroyed in a moment! They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors! Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when aroused, You will despise their form.
Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. How they are destroyed in a moment! They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors! Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when aroused, You will despise their form.
Bitterness is the fruit of Satan. He wants to distract you
from seeing who God is.
Psalm 73:21-22
When my heart was embittered And I was pierced within, Then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.
When my heart was embittered And I was pierced within, Then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.
Jesus promised that He is always with us. He placed His Holy
Spirit within our hearts. We must have an eternal perspective.
Psalm 73:23-28
Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. With Your counsel You will guide me, And afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For, behold, those who are far from You will perish; You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You. But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, That I may tell of all Your works.
Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. With Your counsel You will guide me, And afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For, behold, those who are far from You will perish; You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You. But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, That I may tell of all Your works.
The Lord is our refuge. God is good. Now go out and tell
that to the lost world. Do not trust your heart and do not trust your flesh.
Trust Jesus.
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