Creator, Father, King #128

Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.

DO YOU KNOW ASAPH’s story?

Asaph lived during King David’s reign. As a Levite, he had the privilege of caring for God’s Tabernacle. He was also one of David’s chief musicians (1 Chronicles 16:5).

Asaph’s entire life was devoted to worshiping God—a noble purpose. But his calling was a strict, often solitary one—and it certainly didn’t pay well!

As he looked around him, he saw wicked people prospering, and it troubled him greatly. He grew embittered, and his faith was severely shaken. Why, he wondered, did he pour so much time and energy into faithfully serving the Lord—only to suffer many hardships—while godless people seemed to enjoy a wealthy and carefree life?

In Psalm 73, Asaph laid bare his soul. Here’s a portion of his refreshingly raw honesty:

As for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.

Envy of worldly success was tearing Asaph apart.

What’s It Mean?

Today is no different from Asaph’s era. Everywhere you look, people with no regard for God are becoming wealthier. It’s easy to longingly look at their luxurious lifestyles and wistfully echo Asaph’s doubts: “Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?” (verse 13).

But when Asaph sought the Lord, his heart turned and he “finally understood the destiny of the wicked” (verse 17). Ultimately, they will be destroyed (verses 18-19). God will give all evildoers what their actions deserve—certainly in the life to come, if not before.

Are you asking similar questions to Asaph’s? Do you find yourself envying the wicked’s success and pining for worldly pleasures? Have you been tempted to wonder whether living righteously matters at all? Take a cue from Asaph: when he remembered the eternal destiny of evildoers, he realized that his fleshly desires for temporary pleasures were “foolish and ignorant” (verse 22). This knowledge led him to a beautiful new refrain in today’s verse: “Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.”

May this be your refrain, as well.

Now What?

Do you know someone who has no regard for God? Pray for opportunities to share his love with them.

Did You Know?

Levites like Asaph had to enforce the death penalty on unauthorized individuals who entered God’s Tabernacle (Numbers 3:10).