Finally Understood

I tried to understand why the wicked prosper.

But what a difficult task it is!

Then I went into your sanctuary, O God,

and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. Psalm 73:16-17

IN PSALM 73, Asaph tells his own story of being immersed in the ministry of leading the Temple choir and then almost walking away from God. It’s a picture of a person questioning the value of life with God and beginning to slip away.

When we read Asaph’s account of his flirtation with the world’s ways of satisfaction and his frustration with God’s ways, it can strike fear into our hearts as parents —especially if we’ve seen signs of this kind of questioning in the lives of our own kids. It can send us into an immediate strategy session to figure out what we’re going to do or say to convince them to keep a firm grip on faith in Christ.

So it is important for us to take note of what brought a turn of direction for Asaph. In verse 17, he says, “I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.” God drew him into his presence and gave him a more vivid grasp of the judgment that awaits those who chase after the world rather than following after God. Asaph realized that though his heart had become bitter, he still belonged to God. The Lord had taken hold of him and would not let go. Asaph’s perspective changed so that when he looked into the future he saw God guiding him to a glorious destiny and could say to the Lord, “I desire you more than anything on earth” (verse 25).

There is hope for our sons and daughters who think life outside of Christ is where the fun and satisfaction are and that serving Christ brings nothing but trouble. Our hope as parents is not in our power of persuasion. Neither is it in our children’s ability to keep hold of Christ. Our hope is that God will give them a fuller understanding of the ruin that awaits those who reject God and the glory that awaits those who desire him.

Sovereign Lord, you are my shelter; you are my hope. And I’m grateful to know that you are a more patient parent than I am. You sometimes allow your own to almost lose their way. You sometimes allow your own to question your ways. But you also protect your own. You draw them to yourself. You strengthen them to listen to you and love you. Won’t you do what only you can do in ________’s life so that ________ will be able to say that he desires you more than anything on earth?