June 6 - Psalms 73-76
Life can be frustrating at times, and the psalmist shows that frustration in Psalm 73. Asaph admits that he has been envious of the wicked, because it seemed that they were having a better life than the righteous. However, when he went to the sanctuary and inquired of the the Lord, He showed him the answer to his problem. The wicked are going to end up in destruction, and the righteous will end up in heaven, so it should not trouble us that the wicked have a short time of prosperity here on this earth. It will soon come to an end, but the righteous have eternity in heaven.
Psalm 74 shows more frustration. Asaph wonders why God has cast off His people, and He has not restored them yet. The enemy has come and destroyed the Temple, and they have brought destruction throughout the land. Asaph questions why God has not fought back. He knows He has the power to do away with them. However, in this case he realizes that God is punishing His people for their sin and blasphemy, too. The question is how much more punishment is needed. We have to trust God to act in the right time in cases like these.
In psalms 75 and 76 Asaph shows that he knows that God brings judgment at the right time and in the right way. It almost seems like God has brought an end to his frustration and shown him that he needs to trust in God's righteousness. The emphasis is on God being the one who is feared. We must all live our lives with an awesome fear of God. We must not seek to instruct God or correct Him. We must live our lives in submission to the will of the all-powerful, righteous King of the Universe.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 77-79.
Psalm 74 shows more frustration. Asaph wonders why God has cast off His people, and He has not restored them yet. The enemy has come and destroyed the Temple, and they have brought destruction throughout the land. Asaph questions why God has not fought back. He knows He has the power to do away with them. However, in this case he realizes that God is punishing His people for their sin and blasphemy, too. The question is how much more punishment is needed. We have to trust God to act in the right time in cases like these.
In psalms 75 and 76 Asaph shows that he knows that God brings judgment at the right time and in the right way. It almost seems like God has brought an end to his frustration and shown him that he needs to trust in God's righteousness. The emphasis is on God being the one who is feared. We must all live our lives with an awesome fear of God. We must not seek to instruct God or correct Him. We must live our lives in submission to the will of the all-powerful, righteous King of the Universe.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 77-79.