City Life Starter

The Word: Psalm 73

By Stefan Johnsson

We see Psalm 73 by Asaph the Seer start out with a simple truth. “Surely God is good to Israel, to those pure in heart”. It is as if he is reminding himself that this has to be true, that speaking it will help him believe it more. And then, the true emotions of his heart starts to come out. The doubts, the second thoughts that are common to any man or woman.

Asaph speaks of his envy and bitterness that he has for the rich and arrogant. What he sees in them is what many of us seek ourselves. They seem healthier, stronger, free from human ills and common burdens, they are above the law and have no regards to justice, threaten others, and speak as if they are gods themselves. What is not to be jealous of in this? To have the power and money to control those around you and your own life is what we all want. It removes the need for doubt that God has blessed you because now you feel blessed with material possessions. To be free of care and to keep gathering wealth is what this society tells us we ought to do.

Seeing this causes Asaph’s foundation in God to slip. He started to doubt the path that he was walking on. Was doing what was right, to follow the path of righteousness a bad idea? The narrow road brings afflictions and punishments that others do not have. Why not teach others that the path of the rich is a much better goal to have? Why should we teach our children to follow the narrow and tougher road instead?

Asaph knew better than this, but it still troubled him deeply. For him, it was a heavy burden to compare his own life to that of those who were wealthy. Not until he came into the presence of God, to be found in God’s sanctuary did everything else seem trivial. He realized the bitter end that the path of wealth and power can bring.  All it took was for Asaph to be reminded by God of who He is, the power and might of His name. Then, only then, did he see that the righteous and God-fearing will get the greatest reward while the wealthy and ungodly will meet destruction in the end. He felt as if his own foundation was slipping, but in the end, it was not his that would fall, it would be that of the ungodly.

Asaph, in the middle of his struggles, came to write at the end of the psalm that there is nothing on Earth worth desiring more than God himself. That even if his flesh and heart may seek after earthly idols, God will be the strength of his heart and his portion forever. If we only dwelt in the presence of God ourselves, then we will all come to realize the meaninglessness of striving for wealth and power. Do not doubt what God did for you, He sent his own son who lived a hard life on this Earth where his own people rejected Him. He did this so you can be free from shame and guilt. This is the gift that we hold on to through our doubts and sorrows.  As Paul wrote in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (NIV)

Reflection

Are you desiring God more than anything that the Earth can offer? Do you look at what others own and desire this yourself? What are you truly seeking after? Do you think that possessions may buy you happiness in the end?

Consider all that Asaph said that the rich had and that he desired in versus 4-11. How do these verses reflect on your own life? Are you currently doubting God’s goodness?

How would you compare a Christian in a third world country to being a Christian in the U.S.? Would it be harder to doubt God’s goodness if you lived in a poor country?

Lastly, read Luke 12:34 and compare how this verse on what Jesus said where our heart should be versus what you read in Psalm 73.