Psalm 73

One of my favorite Psalms.

Asaph, one of David's chief musicians, is the author.

God is good.   This is the conclusion.........

But Asaph recalls a time when he struggled with this.....pondering the prosperity of the wicked.....struggled to the point of it hindering his walk with God.

He observed that they live peaceful, long lives, free from trouble.  They are proud and violent......this indeed is their whole life--they wear it openly like jewelry and clothing.  They have all they could possibly want....living in opulence. They are in want of nothing.

They speak of oppression with no fear of God.  They act, indeed, as if they own the earth.
They deceive themselves into believing that God does not see, or hear, or even have knowledge of their life.

That's just the way they are....and it isn't fair.

Here Asaph trips up......he becomes a little arrogant, speaking of and focusing on himself, after having focused for so long on the wicked.  He feels that his commitment to godliness is in vain.   His obedience to the laws of God, to keeping the commandments, lead to nothing.   Why bother?  when the wicked fare better than he?  He dwells on this so much that it is eating him alive!

He was wise enough to not speak his mind on the issue.....so as not to mislead others, or cause doubt in them. (I think we all need to take a lesson in this! )

He tried to understand, to make sense of it.....but it was overwhelming and painful.

Until.......

He sought God.  In His house.  Then.....he got it.

Ultimately they will not prosper.  No, God will destroy them.  In His time, suddenly, they will be consumed.  This is their fate....and they have no clue, and no hope.

Asaph realizes the foolishness of his struggle, confesses it, and acknowledges God's wisdom and everlasting love.  God has not, and will not forsake Asaph!    Where else can he find hope?  Who, but God, can help?

I love verse 25:
    Whom have I in heaven but You?
     And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
    My flesh and my heart fail; ("often!" is handwritten in my Bible) 
    But God is the strength of my heart an my portion forever. ("always" is handwritten here) 

It is good to draw near to God.....and what else but the struggles of life to drive us there.
It is though knowing Him.....studying Him in His Word, and in prayer, that we come to know Him well.  And knowing Him, we learn that we can trust Him.

And having experienced His love and help, we can declare Him to those around us!