Everything but God or Everything on God

When my soul was embittered, I was stupid and ignorant, I was like a beast before thee. Nevertheless thou dost guide me with thy counsel, and afterward thou wilt receive me to thy glory. (Ps. 73:21-24)

Ps. 73; I Chr. 16:7-13; II Chr. 29:28-30; Rom. 8:28, 37-39; II Cor 9:6-8, 10-15

What Is God Saying?

Asaph was one of David's song leaders. He and his brothers were appointed by David to lead the people in songs of praise and thanksgiving (I Chron. 16:7). Psalm 50 is credited to Asaph (plus 73-83) and here he first sounds the note of triumph in the face of trial which is repeated often throughout the Psalms, ‘Make thanksgiving your sacrifice to God ... call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you shall glorify me’ (Ps. 50:14-15). Hezekiah commanded, ‘Sing praises to the Lord with the words of David and Asaph. They sang praises with gladness and they bowed down and worshipped’ (II Chr. 29:30). Asaph did not wear blinders from the apparent prosperity of those who are bent on doing wrong. ‘The wicked prosper ... they have no pangs, their bodies are sound and sleek’ (Psalm 73:4-5). He faces the worst for what it is-unfair, unjust, all wrong, but he goes deeper. He looks beyond the transient wrong to the eternal right. ‘When I went into the sanctuary of God, I perceived their end’ (Ps. 73:17). Pride struts on slippery ground. Ruin may be evaded for a while but not avoided forever. God is in control now and forever.

How Does This Apply To Us?

We can trust the counsel of God and believe that ‘in everything, God works for good to those who love him, who are called according to his purpose’ (Rom 8:28). The Lord, who now guides us with His counsel, will afterwards receive us.

Pray With Me

Lord, when I take my eyes from You, my soul grows bitter. Too often I look with envy upon those who have nothing to do with Your kingdom and yet prosper. I resent those who feel no obligation make no sacrifice and suffer no want for the cause of Christ. I cannot help wondering why those who give so little should get so much.

Help me to be content with the vision of Your present glory and with the hope of Your coming Kingdom. Fill my heart with such thanksgiving for all Your boundless mercies that I will have neither the time nor the least inclination to think of the apparent advantages of others who have everything but God. Fill my mind with Your truth. Guide me in the way of Your counsel. Be unto me the unfailing presence through every valley, the unfading light beyond every shadow, the unfaltering comfort for every sorrow. You have set eternity in my heart.

For the sake of my Redeemer and Lord. Amen.

Moving On In The Life of Prayer

In prayer, we cease looking at others, making comparisons, and feeling sorry for ourselves. We start looking at God, trusting, believing and rejoicing. Envy dissolves beneath God's grace. The embittered heart is transformed by a few moments spent with Him who is ‘able to make all grace abound toward us’ (II Cor 9:8). They who wait upon the Lord never wait in vain. Prayer doesn't fret over those with everything ... but God. Prayer is too busy tapping the reservoir given to those who have everything ... in God.