Psalm 73

Psalm 73

1Surely God is good to Israel, 

to those who are pure in heart.

2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; 

I had nearly lost my foothold.

3 For I envied the arrogant 

when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4 They have no struggles; 

their bodies are healthy and strong. [a]

5 They are free from the burdens common to man; 

they are not plagued by human ills.

6 Therefore pride is their necklace; 

they clothe themselves with violence.

7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity ; 

the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.

8 They scoff, and speak with malice; 

in their arrogance they threaten oppression.

9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven, 

and their tongues take possession of the earth.

10 Therefore their people turn to them 

and drink up waters in abundance. 

11 They say, "How can God know? 

Does the Most High have knowledge?"

12 This is what the wicked are like— 

always carefree, they increase in wealth.

13 Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; 

in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.

14 All day long I have been plagued; 

I have been punished every morning.

15 If I had said, "I will speak thus," 

I would have betrayed your children.

16 When I tried to understand all this, 

it was oppressive to me

17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; 

then I understood their final destiny.

18 Surely you place them on slippery ground; 

you cast them down to ruin.

19 How suddenly are they destroyed, 

completely swept away by terrors!

20 As a dream when one awakes, 

so when you arise, O Lord, 

you will despise them as fantasies.

21 When my heart was grieved 

and my spirit embittered,

22 I was senseless and ignorant; 

I was a brute beast before you.

23 Yet I am always with you; 

you hold me by my right hand.

24 You guide me with your counsel, 

and afterward you will take me into glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but you? 

And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

26 My flesh and my heart may fail, 

but God is the strength of my heart 

and my portion forever.

27 Those who are far from you will perish; 

you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

28 But as for me, it is good to be near God. 

I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; 

I will tell of all your deeds.

How often do I learn a lesson, or learn a deeper quality of who God is, and then in my arrogance and pride, check that off my list of temptations, sins, lessons, or knowledge never to be learned again?  When my heart is burdened and overwhelmed with sorrow for those that I love, I find myself embroiled once again in this Psalm asking "surely in vain have I kept my heart pure."  In other words, I have been good and You God have not lived up to your bargain."  I have been good so why are bad things, suffering coming into my life or those that I love?  Then I think, I already learned this didn't I?  I have been here before, and why am I questioning the same things again?  I become a senseless brute.  Then I come to the sanctuary of God.  I perceive their end (the wicked), and mine.  Oh yea, my side wins, my side is the one that will spend eternity feasting on the true manna from heaven.  This life is hard, and sometimes it is harder than at other times, but the end will never change, and in the mean time, the presence of God is with me.  What more do I want?  

Until we feast together forever.....................Lynn