Experiencing God's Presence #316

Experiencing God's Presence #316

Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.

Psalm 73:17

The psalmist Asaph has been observing the wicked and noticing that they often seem to have easy, prosperous lives. Meanwhile, God’s people struggle and suffer. Why? Is a godly life for nothing? Asaph asks all the questions we tend to ask when life doesn’t seem fair. But when he enters God’s sanctuary and meditates in the Presence, the truth sinks in. In the grand scheme of things, the prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous are both very, very short. The eternal picture makes the life of the righteous look so much better than the life of the wicked.

God’s Presence is the place to ask hard questions. Our minds can go to a lot of dark places on their own, and we never really arrive at the truth by our own reasoning. But sitting in God’s Presence, asking for His wisdom, and meditating on the truth of His Word seems to make cloudy issues much clearer. He may not give immediate or even thorough answers, but He does give us perspective. He fills us with faith and turns our hearts in the right direction.

Do heavy questions hang over your head today? Do God’s ways seem obscure and confusing? Does life seem unfair? Whatever issues you need clarity about, take them into the Presence of God and ask Him about them. Sit with God with a request for understanding, a patient heart, and an openness to whatever words and images He brings to mind—especially those from His revealed Word. He loves to impart His perspective to His people and to enlarge their hearts with His wisdom and vision. And He turns your heart toward Him.

Father, there’s so much I don’t comprehend. Your ways don’t seem to make sense. I’m choosing to trust You, but I also want to understand. Please teach me truth and give me Your perspectives.