I absolutely love Psalm 73. This psalm was written by Asaph, the leader of one of David’s Levetical choirs. (The choirs represented the families and the descendants of the three sons of Levi). Asaph’s position placed him in constant contact with the people of Israel, so it is not surprising that they were the inspiration for this psalm.
Asaph’s main issue in this Psalm is found in verse 3, “For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” He was angry that he did not possess the prosperity that he saw the wicked experiencing. In verse 13, he even wrote, “Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning.”
I believe that Asaph’s mentality before he wrote this psalm is the mentality that a lot of Christians still possess; he believed that the righteous would enjoy prosperity, and the wicked would suffer hardship. But the reality appeared to be the exact opposite; the righteous seemed to suffer while the wicked flourished. Asaph was so frustrated that he was about to give up his pursuit of righteousness and join the wicked. When he tried to understand everything that he saw and believed, it was oppressive to him UNTIL he entered the presence of the Lord, the sanctuary of God (verse 17), then he understood.
Something happened to Asaph when he entered into the presence of God. His situation did not change, and I am sure that the wicked people that he noticed still prospered, but something amazing happened when he entered into the presence of God. Not only did he get a better understanding of the destiny of the wicked, but he also began to view his circumstances from a different perspective, a godly perspective. “I was senseless and arrogant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward, You will take me into glory.”
I believe that like Asaph, we often think of good and evil in society’s definition of the words, and that is why we might get frustrated and angry with God over our circumstances. A single Christian girl might get frustrated with God because she is not in a relationship, but yet she sees ‘non-Christians’ who jumped from relationship to relationship, get married and start families. A godly man might have spent his life ‘doing the right thing,’ but he struggles to provide a good living for his family, yet he notices his corrupt friends or co-workers living lavish lives. This can be frustrating and can make us quite angry as it did for Asaph. So what do we do?
When we bring our frustrations as we enter into the presence of God, I believe that a transformation happens. Our circumstances do not necessarily change, but we are changed. For Asaph, he entered into God’s presence with bitterness, envy, anger and arrogance in his heart, but he left with peace, comfort, assurance and a renewed sense of hope. His words in verse 25 read, “Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Asaph realized that his problem was his defective definition of the word “good” being equated with prosperity. But after being in God’s presence, he wrote, “But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge. I will tell of all your deeds.”
There is a transforming power about the presence of God; it does not leave you as you are. Have you ever entered into His presence? Have you ever gone before Him in sincere heartfelt prayer from heavy heart that longs to be appeased? Have you ever been honest with God about what you feel? If you have not, I challenge you to do so today. The Lord is a good and loving Father that desires to see His children comforted and at peace. He wants you to come into His presence with all of your burdens and frustration and questions so that He can transform your ashes into beauty. Let Asaph’s experience encourage you to know today that the answers to all of your questions can be found in His presence. Enter it today!
Found in Your hands, fullness of joy
Every fear suddenly wiped away here in Your presence
All of my gains now fade away
Every crown no longer on display, here in Your presence
Heaven is trembling in awe of Your wonders
The kings and their kingdom are standing amazed
Here in Your presence, we are undone
Here in Your presence, Heaven and Earth become one
Here in Your presence, all things are new
Here in Your presence, everything bows before You
-New Life Worship
Grace and peace be with you.
Click to go to the
Homepage
|
IN HIS PRESENCE