SundaySermon - Prince
What is the point of all this, Lord?
Life is not easy. There are good times and there are bad times for sure. And during this time, this is the question that comes to us - Where is God? What is the point of all this? This question is not new.
Verse: Psalms 73:13-14 NLT
13 Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?
14 I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.
The book of Psalm is a great book. The writers speak their hearts out to God. This writer is Asaph and here is what he does
Verse: 1 Chronicles 16:37 NLT
37 David arranged for Asaph and his fellow Levites to serve regularly before the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant, doing whatever needed to be done each day.
This person is not an ordinary believer. He is on a the level of prophet. And yet his struggle is real. Let us see what he has to say in this passage
Passage: Psalm 73
2 But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.
NOTE: He lost his faith almost. And in the following verses he speaks out what is most disturbing to him.
3 For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
4 They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong.
NOTE: There is no point in living right when he sees godless people prospering. They also are proud and arrogant. And all arrogance comes by living prosperous, godless lives. All of this is what the writer observes around him.
8 They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others.
NOTE: When there is no one to question, the evil move into living unjust lives and taking advantage of the poor. This writer is confused and broken about what he sees.
10 And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words.
NOTE: And the evil people carry themself very well. They have a way with words that they actions are backed up by logic, reason but is immoral. This leaves the people confused and dismayed.
11 “What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?”
12 Look at these wicked people— enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.
NOTE: This is what was bothering the writer. And he almost gave up. There are situations in our lives where we come to a place of giving up
15 If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people.
NOTE: All these are the writer's thoughts but he hasn't spoken this out. And in his thinking, he realised that he would be traitor and a betrayer if he had to voice his struggle. And so he runs to the place where God is.
17 Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.
NOTE: All this struggle comes to an end when he enters the sanctuary of God. God gives him the vision of the prophetic and sees their end.
The struggle in our thoughts may be different from Psalm 73. Our struggles can be put to rest when we come into the sanctuary.
21 Then I realised that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.
22 I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.
NOTE: There are times when we come to a point where we say, "I should have done this before". Here the writer is ashamed to the point he calls himself as a senseless animal. And there is never late to make change and so runs to God.
28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.