Day 274

Isaiah 62:6–65:25; Philippians 2:19–3:3; Psalm 73:1-28; Proverbs 24:13-14

AS WE ENTER a new month, we’re also entering the final quarter of our year —and the home stretch on our journey through the Bible. This is actually an important moment. Right now, we’re out in front of things, but, as we know, the year will only seem to speed up and get more and more hectic as we move toward the holidays. Three months from now, we will begin a new year. It’s important to commit ourselves now to finishing this year strong.

In our reading from Psalm 73 today, Asaph was feeling anything but strong. He was bewildered and frustrated over what he saw in the world. It seemed that the unrighteous were really the prosperous and blessed people, while those remaining true to God were languishing. “I almost lost my footing,” he said. “My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness” (Psalm 73:2-3).

At one time or another in our lives, we have likely shared this sentiment. For all our efforts to live uprightly before God, we see that others who have no regard for Him seem to have it easier, and we, too, find ourselves bewildered. The psalmist captured this perfectly:

Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.

If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people. So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is!

If we arrive at this place in our lives, we must be aware that we are at a crossroad. The very next decision we make will dictate the direction our lives will take. We might throw our hands up in disgust and walk willingly into sin, thinking that somehow our personal judgment of God’s sovereignty gives us license to go wild, but it won’t work. Asaph chose another direction:

Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.

Rather than stepping into passive-aggressive wickedness, Asaph chose to return to God’s presence. In God’s presence, he realized, as we’ve seen in so many examples from the Bible this year, that there is more going on than we know. The solid foundation that the wicked trust in is nothing when considered from an eternal perspective. Their security in this life will not protect them in the next. There, they will have no protection at all.

In light of this, Asaph realized that what truly tormented him wasn’t about the wicked prospering. Rather, it was the envy and bitterness that comes from comparison. He confessed this to God:

I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant —I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.

Through confession, Asaph centered himself in God and realized once again that he had something the wicked do not possess: eternal hope. He poured out his heart in worship:

I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.

Psalm 73 gives us very good counsel and a clear heart’s posture as we move into this final quarter of the year. Comparison and envy usually hover around the holidays. If you find yourself battling bitterness, turn back to this page and follow the path of Asaph, remembering that God remains the strength of your heart.

MEDITATION:

In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years.