Ever feel like that? Ever have questions like:
Why do good people have to suffer and the ungodly ones seem to get off scot free? They accumulate lots of wealth, often by exploiting the poor, and they never seem to have any trouble? And what's the use of being good and doing the right thing when all you get is trouble?
Well, that is exactly how the Psalmist felt at one time. He expresses his feelings and frustrations in Psalm 73:
1 Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure.
2 But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.
3 For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
4 They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong.
5 They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.
6 They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty.
7 These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!
8 They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others.
9 They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth.
10 And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words.
11 “What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?”
12 Look at these wicked people— enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.
13 Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?
14 I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.
Do you ever feel like this? I'm sure we can all relate.
In the next half of the Psalm, he goes into God's presence and he discovers 7 things!
1. He discovers their end in the next bit.
15 If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people.
16 So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is!
17 Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.
18 Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.
19 In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors.
20 When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.
2. He discovers his own heart!
21 Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.
22 I was so foolish and ignorant - I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.
3. He discovers God's grace!
23 Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.
4. He discovers his destiny!
24 You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.
5. He dicovers his inheritance!
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.
26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.
6. He discovers his security!
27 Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you.
28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,...
7. He discovers his purpose!
28b and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.
So how neat is that?? In the next entries, I want to expound more on some of thos points... so please come back!
NB. The translation used in this post is the New Living Translation.
Why do good people have to suffer and the ungodly ones seem to get off scot free? They accumulate lots of wealth, often by exploiting the poor, and they never seem to have any trouble? And what's the use of being good and doing the right thing when all you get is trouble?
Well, that is exactly how the Psalmist felt at one time. He expresses his feelings and frustrations in Psalm 73:
1 Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure.
2 But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.
3 For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
4 They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong.
5 They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.
6 They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty.
7 These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!
8 They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others.
9 They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth.
10 And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words.
11 “What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?”
12 Look at these wicked people— enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.
13 Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?
14 I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.
Do you ever feel like this? I'm sure we can all relate.
In the next half of the Psalm, he goes into God's presence and he discovers 7 things!
1. He discovers their end in the next bit.
15 If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people.
16 So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is!
17 Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.
18 Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.
19 In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors.
20 When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.
2. He discovers his own heart!
21 Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.
22 I was so foolish and ignorant - I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.
3. He discovers God's grace!
23 Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.
4. He discovers his destiny!
24 You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.
5. He dicovers his inheritance!
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.
26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.
6. He discovers his security!
27 Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you.
28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,...
7. He discovers his purpose!
28b and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.
So how neat is that?? In the next entries, I want to expound more on some of thos points... so please come back!
NB. The translation used in this post is the New Living Translation.
No comments:
Post a Comment