Psalm 70-74

June 22

Psalm 70-74

"For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." (Psalm 73:3, NIV)

Have you been there? You look at the big house, the nice car, the nice clothes, and you envy them. They are arrogant. They won’t even give you the time of day. They do whatever it takes to move up the ladder. It seems like God continues to bless them, while you struggle to make ends meet. They take bribes, they pay off judges, they don’t obey the rules, but they prosper. We don’t want to be like them, but we would sure like to have what they have.

The psalmist admits he was struggling. He had remained obedient to God, but he had to ask himself; why? Why remain pure when the wicked live carefree lives and just increase their wealth. It all seemed hopeless until he went into the sanctuary of God. There he was reminded that this earth is not our home. There he was reminded of eternity. There he remembered what really mattered in life. There he remembered the destiny of those who rebel against God.

It is easy to get caught up in our own emotions. It is easy to look around at the worldly wealth of people who are not walking with God and wonder why they are being blessed and those who are faithful are struggling. But when we come before God, when we open his Word, when we are reminded of eternity, we get a new perspective. The apostle Paul wrote; "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18, NIV) He had a glimpse of the truth. He saw with an eternal perspective. Life on earth is but a blip on the radar when compared to eternity.

After entering the sanctuary and being reminded of God’s majesty, the psalmist wrote; "Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you." (Psalm 73:25, NIV) All the riches of the earth are nothing compared to our relationship with God. Riches cannot buy heaven. Jesus said; " “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21, NIV)

When we fix our eyes on Jesus the things of the world do not have the same ability to pull us toward them. Riches gained by deceit or other unrighteous practices do not attract us because they are nothing compared to the promises of God. Heaven is not worth losing because we want stuff now. God can fill all the emptiness, He can satisfy every desire of the heart. We can join with the psalmist when we say; "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." (Psalm 73:23-24, NIV)