Their Heaven Is Earth

Psalm 73: 1 – 28

Their heaven is earth

A Psalm of Asaph.

1 Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. 3 For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For there are no pangs in their death, but their strength is firm. 5 They are not in trouble as other men, nor are they plagued like other men. 6 Therefore pride serves as their necklace; Violence covers them like a garment. 7 Their eyes bulge with abundance; They have more than heart could wish. 8 They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression; They speak loftily. 9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walks through the earth. 10 Therefore his people return here, and waters of a full cup are drained by them. 11 And they say, “How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?” 12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who are always at ease; They increase in riches. 13 Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence. 14 For all day long I have been plagued and chastened every morning. 15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,” Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children. 16 When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me—17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end. 18 Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. 19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. 20 As a dream when one awakes, so, Lord, when You awake, You shall despise their image. 21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was vexed in my mind. 22 I was so foolish and ignorant I was like a beast before You. 23 Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. 24 You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. 26 My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 27 For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry. 28 But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all Your works.

In the Gospel of Matthew chapter 19 we read this, “16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” 17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’?” 20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”

We do not realize how bad sin has seized us. Here we find three things that would make us perfect on earth – Youth, powerful, and rich. So, we think!

We do not stay young forever. Power only lasts for a while until someone else more powerful comes along and unseats us. Riches have a way of also speaking to us when it says, ‘goodbye’.

In today’s study verse 12 highlights these points, “Behold, these are the ungodly, who are always at ease; They increase in riches.” People desire to live their heaven while here on earth.

Stop and think about the crushing regret people will feel upon learning you were incorrect that will cause punishment for all eternity upon learning the truth.

That’s hell. It’s utterly crushing. The fire of regret/remorse is damning.

Your world/life/view turns upside down.

It’s a “comparative” moment. Meaning? There’s you. There’s god. You can feel the difference in every particle of your being… and there’s the regret.

The moment you realize that you could have accepted the pure truth of love from God that was in front of you, but there you are now with no hope.