Read
BOOK III
(Psalms 73–89)
(A psalm by Asaph.)
God Is Good
1God is truly good to Israel,
especially to everyone
with a pure heart.
2But I almost stumbled and fell,
3because it made me jealous
to see proud and evil people
and to watch them prosper.
4They never have to suffer,
they stay healthy,
5and they don't have troubles
like everyone else.
6Their pride is like a necklace,
and they commit sin more often
than they dress themselves.
7Their eyes bulge with fat,
and their minds are flooded
with foolish thoughts.
8They sneer and say cruel things,
and because of their pride,
they make violent threats.
9They dare to speak against God
and to order others around.
10God will bring his people back,
and they will drink the water
he so freely gives.
11Only evil people would say,
“God Most High cannot
know everything!”
12Yet all goes well for them,
and they live in peace.
13What good did it do me
to keep my thoughts pure
and refuse to do wrong?
14I am sick all day,
and I am punished
each morning.
15If I had said evil things,
I would not have been loyal
to your people.
16It was hard for me
to understand all this!
17Then I went to your temple,
and there I understood
what will happen
to my enemies.
18You will make them stumble,
never to get up again.
19They will be terrified,
suddenly swept away
and no longer there.
20They will disappear, Lord,
despised like a bad dream
the morning after.
21Once I was bitter
and brokenhearted.
22I was stupid and ignorant,
and I treated you
as a wild animal would.
23But I never really left you,
and you hold my right hand.
24Your advice has been my guide,
and later you will welcome me
in glory.
25In heaven I have only you,
and on this earth
you are all I want.
26My body and mind may fail,
but you are my strength
and my choice forever.
27All-Powerful Lord God,
those who stay far from you
will be lost,
and you will destroy those
who are unfaithful.
28It is good for me
to be near you.
I choose you as my protector,
and I will tell about
your wonderful deeds.
Reflect
What do we do when we become disillusioned with God?
Asaph is the priest-musician appointed by King David and retained by his son Solomon to lead worship in the temple. But his role hasn’t immunized him against jealousy or bitterness. In this hymn he questions whether obedience matters to God.
Those who live with no regard for God’s commandments and Moses’ rules have health, wealth and no worries (vv 1-16). They speak against God, make violent threats, commit sin upon sin. God doesn’t seem to care. Is Asaph’s right living a waste of time?
Asaph’s questions echo in Habbakuk’s complaints (Habakkuk 1:2-4). We hear them in Jesus’ cry on the cross: “God, why have you forsaken me?” And we ask them when the injustices and scandals of our days cause our faith in an all-powerful, just and holy God to falter.
Asaph does the only needful thing. Questions in hand, he chooses to go into the temple (v 17). Only there, close to the chest that holds the symbols of God’s deliverance, does he finally understand God’s perspective (vv 17-20). He re-affirms his commitment to follow hard after God with statements as bold as his questions (vv 21-28).
Like Asaph, do we choose to wait for God when everything in us cries out for justice that’s swift and deadly? When we do, God gives us perspective, a glimpse of how he will deal with injustice and scandal. When we do God gives us . . . himself.
Respond
Father-God, who gives us hope and a future, when the injustice in our world stretches our faith in you and your power, give us the courage and conviction we need to draw near to you and to wait. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Renee James
Renee James is the communications director for Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec (CBWOQ), and the editor of its award-winning magazine live. An award-winning freelance writer, she’s been published in Faith Today and has been a regular contributor to Leadership Journal and Today’s Christian Woman both published by Christianity Today International (CTI). She's also been a regular contributor to Gifted For Leadership, CTI’s leadership blog written by and for women leaders.