Reading Psalm 73 is like reading someone’s blog! The Psalmist is candid about his struggle with the prosperity of the wicked...

It seemed to him that the people of God were struggling with affliction while those who were not of God were swimming in affluence. His fellow believers were pressured while the blasphemers were prospering. So, Asaph journaled his feelings. He wrote about how hard it was to reconcile the apparent unfairness. “But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked... Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, And washed my hands in innocence. For all day long I have been plagued, And chastened every morning.”

We know how he felt don’t we? When we see godly people suffer and godless people soar, we can rightly become confused and frustrated also.

Thousands of years have passed since Asaph penned those words, but nothing has really changed. You or I could just as easily write them today. It seems as our twentieth century musical philosopher Billy Joel sung it...” Only the good die young!”

If I were Asaph, I would have vented and complained about the frustrating unfairness. believe me, just traveling in airports these days challenges me in this area! But, that’s not what he did - he didn’t rant and rave to anyone who would listen... he kept his mouth shut.

Eugene Peterson paraphrases Asaph's words like this: “If I'd have given in and talked like this, I would have betrayed your dear children." Psalm 73:15.

Asaph got the victory over his struggle by keeping a respect for God and His people-and his respect led to restraint. Notice that he mentioned nothing about having respect for the wicked or their behavior, but out of respect for God, an effort to keep God's people from stumbling he refrained from speaking with ill will.

How wise to use restraint and not share each thought we have. I've heard it said: think twice, speak once. In doing so, the second thought may correct or bring truth to the first thought. Of course, the best case scenario is to not think ill thoughts in the first place, but, it's much worse to speak them and infect the listener!

Just like the Psalmist, we control our words because we respect God and His people. We don’t want our words to be a stumbling block. But, let's be honest, we can respect and refrain - but, sometimes, we need a new view - a change in our perspective. That’s eventually what the Psalmist said. When he just couldn’t resolve his quandary with the whole thing, he got a new point of view.

“Still, when I tried to figure it out, all I got was a splitting headache...Until I entered the sanctuary of God. Then I saw the whole picture." Psalm 73:16,17-The Message

It is only in the light of divine revelation and in the light of His presence that our searching is settled-the sanctuary is the place where our frustrations fade. In fact, in light of God’s grace and mercy, our ponderings often give way to praise. I want my wonderings to turn into worship, don’t you? I want to fixate on the light in the sanctuary rather than the darkness of my own heart and the hearts of others. Not everything can be reconciled in our minds, but, in everything we can still reverence God in our hearts-and that makes all the difference.

So, when you are faced with the apparent unfairness of life, when it seems that the righteous struggle while the unrighteous succeed, use wise restraint, and go to the Sanctuary to gain a better perspective. May your ponderings lead you to praise.

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. Psalm 73:24-26

*************Announcement**************** Jennifer shares her "point of view" on the Life Today Show, Friday, Sept 15. Watch the broadcast or webcast on Friday and send Life Today your comments. You'll be entered to win a $25 Gift Certificate to the JenniferRothschild.com Store.
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