Daily Devotion of Psalm 73

Daily Nugget:
Asaph, a musician, looked around him and saw how God had blessed, protected, and led his country, Israel (vs. 1). In his own life, however, he had many struggles (vs. 2).

As he thought more about his difficulties, he recognized something that we all recognize and can be discouraged by. It appeared to Him that the ungodly were getting away with their sin and disobedient-to-God lifestyle. Asaph was jealous (vs.3) of what the worldly crowd had and was doing.

He saw that:

• They were foolishly doing what he dared not do (vs. 3).
• They seemed to be prosperous (vss. 3, 12),
• They seemed to die peacefully without pain or weakness (vs. 4).
• They seem to not be in as much trouble as others, and it seems their conscience does not bother them much as it does a child of God (vs. 5).
• They are proud and often violent (vs. 6).
• They seem to have all the niceties of life (vs. 7).
• They are corrupt, speak wickedly about hurting others, and are boastful (vs. 8).
• Their speech is often against God and the things of God (vs. 9).
• They seem to be popular and have much fame (vss. 9, 11).

After considering the ways of the ungodly, he wondered if his determination to obey and live for the Lord was the wrong thing to do. It seemed that the ungodly could get away with sin, but he could not.
“Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. 14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.” Psalm 73:13-14 

Asaph’s thinking changed very quickly when he entered the Temple. It was there, perhaps because the Temple helped him remember that there was a Holy God and He would never allow anyone to get away with sin, that he remembered why he chose to obey God.
“Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.” Psalm 73:17

The musician’s clearer thinking helped him recollect the price the godless pay.

• God will see to it that they fail in their sin (vs. 18).
• God will see that they will be cast into Hell (vs. 18).
• God will see they or their endeavors are destroyed (vs. 19), often suddenly.
• God despises them (vs. 20).

After realizing what they are and what they will face, Asaph was no longer envious of those wallowing in sin. His feeling turned to that of grief for the tragedy they will one day face.
“Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.” Psalm 73:21

Like Asaph, many Christians see what goes around them. They see rampant sin in many places. At times, most have felt similarly to the musician. However, it must always be remembered that a child of God is on the winning side. The lost are not, and they will reap from the sin they have sowed. There is a price tag on all iniquity and it will be eternally expensive for the unsaved.

Today’s Thought:
For almost 38 years, I have told the young people I have taught that if anyone gets away with sin, I will eat my Bible. I have worn out at least five Bibles, but not one of them has a page missing because I had to eat it. — B. B.

Words to Understand:
Asaph: a musician
Band: pain
Desolation: destroyed
Envious: strongly wanting what another person has

Today’s Reading:
Psalm 73
1 A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
15 ¶ If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
21 ¶ Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.