Perspective

Truly God is good to Israel,

to those whose hearts are pure.

But 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. Psalm 73:1-3

ASAPH BEGINS PSALM 73 with the conclusion he has come to —that God is good to his people —and then takes us along with him on the path that led him to it. He admits that he almost stumbled because as he looked at the world around him, it seemed as if people who gave no thought to God actually lived pretty well: “Did I keep my heart pure for nothing?” he wondered (verse 13). But then he lifted up his eyes to God in worship and was given clarity on what a life spent alienated from God leads to. “Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked” (verse 17). He could see that their path led to ruin. He realized that if he looked only at appearances, he wouldn’t see the complete picture of reality.

Worship puts God at the center of our vision so that we can finally begin to see things as they really are. It delivers us from distortion. That’s why being in church as a family week by week is such a priority if we want our kids to have their perspectives shaped by what is true, real, and eternal. All week long, the world seeks to shape the way our children think about things, so we gather each week with the people of God and look to him to readjust our perspective to see beyond life in this world and into eternity.

Truly you are kind to us, Lord. How good it is to be near you! Sovereign Lord, you have been our shelter. We want to tell everyone about the wonderful things you do. We need you to keep us from slipping into believing that this life is all there is. We need you to save ________ from thinking that there is no real benefit to a life set apart to you. Save ________ from such foolishness; guide ________ with your counsel; give ________ a desire for you that is greater than anything on earth; lead ________ to a glorious destiny.