Perspective

Have you noticed in life that sometimes your heart can become bitter because of what you have experienced or seen in the world that you do not understand? And then, after some time, you realize that you were acting inappropriately and doubting God and his care for you?

There certainly have been times in my life where that has happened. I was encouraged to see that it is not only me that has gone through times like that. In fact, notice what it says in Ps. 73:21-22,

“Then I realized that my heart was bitter,
and I was all torn up inside.
I was so foolish and ignorant—
I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.”

Asaph, the author of this Psalm, experienced these times as well. He was troubled by the prosperity of the wicked to the point that he became embittered. It did not seem right or fair. It caused him to act like a “senseless animal” toward God.

What I found so encouraging in this passage is found in the next couple of verses. It is there that Asaph realizes something very important. Notice what he says,

Yet I still belong to you; 
you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
leading me to a glorious destiny.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything on earth.
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
he is mine forever.”

Even though he had treated God inappropriately, God was still there holding his hand!God was still guiding him through his Word. As Asaph thought about this reality, he saw that his destiny is so much greater than the current prosperity of the wicked! As a result, he renewed his commitment to God and continued to pursue him above anything else in life.  He renewed his perspective based upon God’s promises.

Father, thank you for your patient love toward me even when I act inappropriately toward you. Your love for me never fails. Thank you that through faith in Christ, my destiny is something to look forward to even though circumstance in this present life can be unfair and hard to understand. Thank you for walking with me today and every day no matter what might come my way. You are my Rock that will never fail.

Following Jesus with you,