Introduction: one of the most challenging things to do today is to keep a balanced perspective. So much of the information we receive is misinformation. The word balance has to do stability. To keep one’s body steady without falling; to keep one’s life steady without wavering; or the ability to compare two things and make the best choice. The bible speaks of this as being sober minded. The word perspective has to do with the point of view. Perspective is a certain point of view in understanding or judging things or circumstances. Our number battle is in the mind. The only way to combat the onslaught of Satan’s temptation is to view our human experience with a balanced perspective on life.
Life is made up of many different seasons, spring, summer, fall and winter. It’s made up of many highs and lows, valleys and mountaintops. Psalm 73 is a perfect illustration on the perspective Children of God should have. The psalmist opens the psalm with his conclusion. “Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.” No matter what follows, he concludes that God is good all the time! Psalm 73 is the chapter in the third division of the Psalm. The third division includes Psalm 73-89, here the psalmist confesses his struggle keeping things in proper perspective. How do keep the proper perspective during a relentless pandemic, social unrest, political rivalry, injustice and suffering? How do we keep the proper perspective we see the prosperity of the wicked while so many good men struggle to keep their heads above water? How do we keep the proper perspective when the world systems seems so unfair?
In Psalm 73, Asaph, the chief musician celebrates the sovereignty of God who is always faithful, covenant keeping and is in total control. Even the knowledge of a sovereign God, Asaph struggles to keep a balanced perspective on life. The doubts and frustrations in Asaph’s heart almost overwhelmed his mind. He was comparing his life to the lives of others around him. Truth be told, I have struggled with the very same thing. But then as he returned to Sanctuary of God, he received a new revelation from God. He confessed the sinfulness of his own thoughts and explained that the contrast in their destinies that cause him to keep the proper perspective. A child of God must view life with eternity in mind. We can keep a balanced perspective of life, by remembering (1) that God is good all the time (2) by avoiding becoming envious of the prosperity of the wicked (3) by appreciating the value of our salvation and (4) by maintaining a clear view of our future destiny. Consider his conclusion:
1. God is good all the time. Ps 73:1 “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. “
God’s goodness is experienced in His relationship with his people. In spite of our personal weaknesses, sinfulness and imperfect faith, God is good to us. We can find nothing to criticize in His character or in His dealings with us. Old folks used to say, “God has been better to me than I have been to myself.”He delivers us from enemies seen and unseen, and brought us into his glorious family. So Asaph began by affirming that God is good to those in Israel and those who trust Him with a pure heart. Asaph confesses that he “almost slipped.” His faith was shaken because he was envious of the wicked. He could not understand how people who opposed God seemed to be doing better than those who trusted God. Do not allow life’s challenges to shake your faith in God’s goodness. Settle it, God is Good all the time.
2. Do not become Envious of Others. (Not the workers of iniquity or 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.”
Asaph observe that their prosperity was plentiful and their troubles seemed few. They have more than their heart could wish. They were arrogant, selfish, prideful, and full of confidence. This is a common dilemma for many righteous people. All of us have experienced the frustrations of Asaph at one level or another. There seem to be two sets of rules, one for the poor and another for the rich. Sometimes we may be tempted to join them or to break the rule and become like the world. Yet, always remember that “the world is passing away and the lust thereof.”God does see and know! Don’t judge your whole based on a single season. Job had a difficult season, and yet a blessed life.
3. Appreciate and Value your Salvation. 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.”
Satan knows that he cannot take away our salvation so he tries to confuse us about its value. When we are trying our best to live for Christ and glorify God, Satan says, “ You think you are so holy!” “You think you are better than anyone else.” Then when we stumble, he says, “you might as well give up, you are such a hypocrite!” “You will never make it anyhow.” “Everyone else is doing it, why not join them.” If we are younger, he will tempts us with popularity, or with the latest style. He says, everything is cool but what you have, what you are doing, and what you have become.
Asaph needed to remember that serve the Lord will pay off now and after awhile. Salvation is not about what we are missing out on, but what we have received from the Lord. Salvation has delivered us from penalty, power, and punish of sin. We are free from the guilt, strain, shame and reproach of sin in this present world. He have a blessed hope for the future. We have an eternal reward waiting for us. Asaph, and us should remember the goodness of God, the future of the wicked, the value of our salvation and keep a clear view of destiny.
4.Keep a Clear View of Destiny. 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.”
Old folks used to sing, “I believe I run on and see what the end is going to be.” Asaph overcame his doubts and painful conflicts by considering the future destiny of the wicked. The conflict was too painful for him, till in the sanctuary of God, he heard the rest of the story. God is still control. He has the future in his hands. They will stumble, fall and will be suddenly destroyed. All their earthly existence will be like a dream.
Asaph’s lack of understanding was cleared up when he received a revelation from God. In the presence of God, there is inspiration and revelation. God breathes his truth into a person’s life. Unclear events begin to take on new meaning and purpose as we seeks God’s revelation. Awed by the presence of God, Asaph affirmed that God had not deserted him, but was with him and holding him. Then Asaph considered the future destiny of the righteous. The righteous has a glorious destiny ahead. Asaph confesses that he was out of balance in his perspective. His perspective warped his judgment and filling his heart with bitter and engulfed his heart with grief. Now He sees clearly and understands his true position. God is with us and will guide us and keep us. God will reward the righteous and punish the wicked.
Asaph concluded that those who are far from and are unfaithful will be destroyed, but those are near God will find joy and safety. Though Asaph nearly slipped in his confidence, he finds security in God. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Staying close to God and His word, helps the believer maintain a balanced perspective of life. Keep a balance perspective by remember God is Good all the time, You don’t need to be envious of the wicked, Appreciate the joy of your salvation. Think about what you have not what you think you are losing. Then keep a clear view of our future destiny. The righteous and the wicked have a destiny coming.
2Pe 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
In Luke 16:19-31 Jesus tells a parable about the rich man and Lazarus. The two men lived different lives, under different circumstances, died under different condition, yet they experienced two different destinies. In this parable Jesus was teaching us that (1) there is a conscious existence after death. (2) There is a reality of a place of eternal comfort and a place of eternal torment . (3) There are no second chances after death. So while you are figuring out your life, whatever you are pursuing, you need to figure in eternity. Keep a balance perspective on life. Don’t make your decision based on any one season, seasons change! Take a lesson from a choir leader, keep the proper perspective on life. Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near! Amen
