October 25th, Psalm 73 DOUBTING!?

Asaph wrote the song - (he wrote 12)...a Levite, a gifted musician and a capable leader. David had selected him to lead the nation in giving thanks to God through music. In this song, Asaph is describing his own personal journey, but it is certainly appropriate for the saint today - and may even be very much like a past or present situation you have experienced.

Asaph's first observation reflects one of the most important and most basic truths of the O.T. - GOD IS INDEED GOOD TO ISRAEL. He is also the Rewarder of the PURE IN HEART. Asaph undoubtedly knew firsthand the goodness of God in his life on both accounts.

Asaph began to look around himself and he ran into trouble! He was disturbed about what he saw: THE PROSPERITY OF THE WICKED! His big questions became: If wicked people prospered as much as or more than righteous people did, then why go to all the trouble to live a life of devotion to God? What Asaph saw planted "weeds" of doubt in his soul. He allowed his mind to be filled with toughts and desires that no Godly person should cherish...his emotions were pushing him down dark paths and he SEEMED poweless to stop them. He confessing, "I envied the arrogant". ("Those compare themselves..." - OOPS! trouble)

Then, Asaph addressed what he knew about the wicked and their end result. The ungodly individuals increased in their wealth. After affirming the goodness of God, and becoming troubled over what he saw, Asaph was angry, bewildered and envious, but he never actually lost his spiritual grip on God. Affirming the goodness of God helps us keep our footing when we are dealing with doubt. WORSHIP = helps us change our perspective so we can deal with our doubts.

By comparison, Asaph had come to the wrong conclusion..."self pity"...he questioned his waste of time and energy maintaining clean hands and a pure heart. He became confused - he was expecting a return "fishhook worship" - the LORD is worthy of our worship and service regardless of what He allows to come to our lives. [We are reminded of the story of the Prodigal son - the older brother complaining and bemoaning his not receiving reward! Remember?]

JOURNEY FROM DOUBT TO FAITH:
Asaph speaks applicable truth: Real life - one filled with meaning and contentment is bound only in close fellowship with the Lord. (v.23) He was wise enough to know that trials and difficulties were an inevitable part of the human experience on earth. He acknowledges that the physical and mental resources present within him may fail. But he also knew an empowering secret - God would be THE STRENGTH OF HIS HEART! Asaph recognized the focus upon himself and not a focus which centered on the Lord.

Along the way, he had faced the reality of his influence on others. Have you realized that your influence is far more important than your prosperity or your feelings?? Hundreds of Levites looked to Asaph for religious leadership - someone is watching you...a daughter, a son, a sibling, a friend, a neighbor OR MANY? The struggle that Asaph was facing was kept inside and he went to the only place that he could without endangering others.

Asaph had made the journey - instead of envying the pleasures of the wicked, he has made the enjoyment of God's presence his ultimate good. He had made the Lord alone his Refuge...going to the sanctuary had changed his whole perspective. During times of confusion, doubt, struggle, growth can and will come if we respond correctly - totally dependent upon HIM and not self. Asaph is a picture of being heavily burdened and hopelessly confused until he entered God's sanctuary. He encountered the living God, his vision cleared and he could see his life from God's point of view.

The unbelievable and fantastic news for you and me as a saint...we do not have to visit a building to enter the sanctuary of God's perspective. He is forever and always with us and individually the born again is "the temple of God".

When the worship service ended and Asaph had gotten his feet firmly grounded on the faith, he left the sanctuary and told everybody what he had learned. He had drawn near to God, he had trusted God, and now he was ready to declare God's works. "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us." Rom. 8:37NKJV

The question for us every day is: Am I going to believe my circumstances, my feelings, OR will I believe what He has said about me - "more than conquerors"?