| Psalms 73:1-7 - Don't Believe the Hype
“Truly God is good to Israel,
to those whose hearts are pure.
But as for me, I almost lost my footing.
My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.
For I envied the proud
when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
They seem to live such painless lives;
their bodies are so healthy and strong.
They don’t have troubles like other people;
they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.
They wear pride like a jeweled necklace
and clothe themselves with cruelty.
These fat cats have everything
their hearts could ever wish for!”
(Psalms 73:1-7 NLT)
by Chris
I see them everywhere.
The Grammys, ESPYs, Talk Shows, Magazines, and every other media outlet. Celebrities looks so accomplished. Like they are on the top of the world.
It’s not just them.
I see regular people paying no attention to God yet seem to have no lack. Anything they set their eye to they obtain. Prosperity follows them everywhere.
v.12 “Look at these wicked people—enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.”
It just doesn’t seem fair. At times I find myself getting caught up in the appearance and letting doubt sneak into my thought process. The Psalmist said it best in verses 13:
“Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?”
As wrong as this may seem, I do have these types of thoughts sometimes. Wondering if my toil is in vain and if I’ll ever see the promises of God manifest in my life.
They have theirs now...where’s mine?!
Have you ever felt like that?
I’ll be honest here, sometimes Christianity appears so "plain". Looking at the world can cast a downward shadow on walking by faith. Getting caught up in what they appear to have at times makes my blessings look minimal.
v.17 “Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.”
Then I snap out of it! I realize that this is the best that it will ever get for them. This is their heaven.
All of the flash and material gains just cover their emptiness and longing for fulfillment. They appear to have it all together until you hear about them on the news victim of drug overdose or suicide.
Now, my envy has turned into empathy. I know how it feels to be that lost not understanding that lifestyle ends in death.
This renews my spirit man and I become more than happy to take my “plain” life. Grateful for every single blessing in my life.
Besides, I’ll take a plain heaven over a fancy hell anyday.
Lets pray...
“Father, their lives are lying to us. It is not all that it seems. The only life worth living is a life in You. We lose perspective at times Lord. Forgive us for coveting the offerings of the world and holding them at a higher regard than your promises. Thank you for opening our eyes to the truth. Lord instead of coveting the lost remind us to pray for them. Pray for the truth to be revealed and accepted. So they may be snatched from the depths of hell and reserve a space in your heavenly presence. In Jesus name we pray...Amen”
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