Rescued
Opening Prayer
Everlasting God, prophets lament evil, sinful actions but, Your righteousness will cover us, Your people. I praise You!
Read Psalm 73:1-28
[1]A psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. [2] But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. [3] For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. [4] They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. [5] They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills. [6] Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. [7] From their callous hearts comes iniquity; their evil imaginations have no limits. [8] They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression. [9] Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. [10] Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. [11] They say, “How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?” [12] This is what the wicked are like- always free of care, they go on amassing wealth. [13] Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. [14] All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments. [15] If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children. [16] When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply [17] till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. [18] Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. [19] How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! [20] They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies. [21] When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, [22] I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. [23] Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. [24] You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. [25] Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. [26] My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. [27] Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. [28] 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. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How does the psalmist describe nearly losing his foothold?Today’s psalm is from the collection of Asaph, one of David’s chief musicians–the Matt Redman of his day, perhaps–and his lyrics tell us something of his story. He describes the frustration of being a God-follower without any reward (13). He’s on a slippery slope of envy and doubt, thinking that the godless have it all good (2). But, like Job in the presence of God (42:1-3), he realizes that the “arrogant” and “wicked” are the ones who are on slippery ground (18). Like Matt Redman, he finds himself “coming back to the heart of worship.” In light of what we’ve come to know about Jesus, the man, I wonder if there is anything in this psalm that would have resonated with him. Would the Jews in Jerusalem have identified with the pure in heart (1), or the arrogant (6,8) and wicked (12)? Perhaps, like Asaph, they felt aggrieved and embittered when they thought of the sacrifices they’d made for God (13,14). And may we, too, sometimes. But in the presence of God, when we read the accounts of Jesus, and hear how other Christians remain strong in times of persecution, we realize we’ve got it the wrong way round. Our sacrifices are as nothing in comparison. He is all we need.
Apply
Think about the pure in heart; then think about the wicked. Will you be able to pray for both? A big chore!
Closing prayer
My Jesus, I love You. Your love is all I need. Lord, keep reminding me of that today and always.
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