Psalm 73: His Way is Never in Vain
Surely! Surely God is good to those who are pure (v1). Have you ever wrestled with this? Things are going well and you’re keeping your mind on good things (Philippians 4:8). Yet then it seems like all the “bad guys" keep gaining and you’re losing ground (v2). You start to envy, to covet; jealousy begins to rise (v3). They seem so set, as if everything is worry free. They’re proud and confident, at the same time calloused with evil intent (v4-12).
Surely following the Lord is not in vain! Keeping a pure heart is surely the best way to go, right (v13)? When we spend time trying to figure this injustice out—how the wicked seem to continue flourishing while things often remain difficult for those following the Way—it can be frustrating and get us down (v16).
Now comes this wonderful turn in the chapter at verse 17: “…til I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.” Yes, following the Lord is never done in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). The wicked will find their destruction eventually. And the best action for us: worship. Worshipping God brings everything into right perspective. God wants to hold us, to guide us, to counsel us and to be with us in glory (v23-24). We would do well to desire nothing besides Him.
So may we go about our days in pursuit of the One who walked in perfect purity, sympathizes with our struggles, took the curse of death to the cross, and rose to life in victory. May we see the love the Father has for us in sending Jesus and may we be compelled (1 Corinthians 5:14) to live for Him. May we find our every moment rightly situated beneath a life of continuous worship of the One who is our strength and portion. And may our desire to be near Him increase all the more and overflow in unashamed declaration of His glory to all whose paths we cross. And may the wicked turn and seek His face for the sake of His glory.
Whom have I in heaven but You?
And earth has nothing I desire besides You.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever (v25-26).