Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Never forsaken, never alone.”
Our Bible verse for today: “God is indeed good to Israel, to the pure in heart. But as for me, my feet almost slipped; my steps nearly went astray. For I envied the arrogant; I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” Psalm 73:1-3 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “God will provide for you.”
Doesn’t it just make you crazy to see wicked people prospering? Here you are trying to live a good life, working hard, paying your bills, you don’t cheat on your taxes, you save your nickels and dimes, you give to charity, but you’re just barely making ends meet. But then you see others all around you who couldn’t care less about God and His commands – people who engage in dishonest and unethical behavior, business people who exploit their workers and take advantage of their customers, Wall Street investors or game the system and make huge dishonest profits, and it just seems so unfair!
That’s what Asaph was seeing too when he wrote Psalm 73. He viewed the world around him, saw the wicked obviously prospering by worldly standards, and it made him mad. In verse three he admitted to being envious. In verses 4-12 he ruminated on their opulent lifestyles and their arrogant disregard for others. In verses 13-16 he wondered if perhaps his efforts to live righteously had been a waste of time.
But then beginning in verse 17 he writes of how he entered God’s sanctuary, took his feelings about this issue to the Lord, and he began to see things a little more clearly. The riches of this world are temporary. The people who depend on them for their happiness and security are ultimately brought to ruin. And beginning in verse 21 he writes of how his envy of them almost resulted in his own ruin – his thoughts had been poisoned and bitterness was taking root in his heart.
Finally, beginning in verse 23, he writes of how he came to realize that God was there for Him. The Lord is his provider and all he really needed for true joy and contentment was a close relationship with the God. And also, whatever material possessions the Lord decided were right for him, would be sufficient.
If you’re struggling financially and perhaps finding yourself feeling a little envious of those who are not, I encourage you to spend some time today with Matthew 6:25-33. It’s a wonderful passage about the promise of God to provide for your needs. God knows exactly what your needs are and He will provide for you – at the right time and in the right way. He is your provider and you can rely on Him.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 