TRULY GOD IS ONLY GOOD Psalms 73
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Truly God is [only] good to Israel, even to those who are upright and pure in heart. Psalms 73:1 AMP
The Psalmist is correct when he speaks of the goodness of God. God is a
good God and He is good to those who are upright and pure in heart. We
choose blessing by choosing to serve and honor God.
But as
for me, my feet were almost gone, my steps had well-nigh slipped. 3 For
I was envious of the foolish and arrogant when I saw the prosperity of
the wicked. 4 For they suffer no violent pangs in their death, but
their strength is firm. 5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither
are they smitten and plagued like other men. 6 Therefore pride is about
their necks like a chain; violence covers them like a garment [like a
long, luxurious robe]. 7 Their eyes stand out with fatness, they have
more than heart could wish; and the imaginations of their minds
overflow [with follies]. 8 They scoff, and wickedly utter oppression;
they speak loftily [from on high, maliciously and blasphemously]. 9
They set their mouths against and speak down from heaven, and their
tongues swagger through the earth [invading even heaven with blasphemy
and smearing earth with slanders]. 10 Therefore His people return here,
and waters of a full cup [offered by the wicked] are [blindly] drained
by them. 11 And they say, How does God know? Is there knowledge in the
Most High? 12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who always prosper and are
at ease in the world; they increase in riches. Psalms 73:2-12 AMP
The psalmist was not in a good place. He had nearly lost his way,
because he started to look to the wicked and think that they had it
better than him. He looked at their wealth, their pride, and their
arrogance; he looked at they way they scoffed and blasphemed; and yet
they seemed to have it so good. They seemed only to increase in riches.
Surely then in vain have I cleansed my heart and washed my hands in
innocency. 14 For all the day long have I been smitten and plagued, and
chastened every morning. Psalms 73:13-14 AMP
The psalmist is
tempted with thoughts of envy for the wealthy wicked. He starts to feel
that serving God and his self-sacrifice have not been beneficial to
him; that God has not taken care of him; that he does not have it as
good as the arrogant wicked.
Had I spoken thus [and given
expression to my feelings], I would have been untrue and have dealt
treacherously against the generation of Your children. Psalms 73:15 AMP
Thankfully, the one mistake he does not make, is to open his mouth and
speak his negative thoughts out loud. Even though he is tempted by the
devil to make terrible accusations against God - in his heart, he knows
the truth. If he had spoken these demonic lies he would have been lying
and he would have been betraying every child of God, who loves and
serves Him and who has experienced His goodness.
But when I
considered how to understand this, it was too great an effort for me
and too painful 17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I
understood [for I considered] their end. 18[After all] You do set the
[wicked] in slippery places; You cast them down to ruin and
destruction. 19 How they become a desolation in a moment! They are
utterly consumed with terrors! Psalms 73:16-19 AMP
It was
hard for him to understand why the sinners - the arrogant, wealthy
people seem better off, but he started to understand when he realized
what their end would be. No man can stand against God and live. Only
those who honor Him will live forever. This life is so short and
eternity is so long. You can serve yourself and think that you are
really something, but if you refuse to humble yourself before God, you
will suffer in hell forever. Forever is a long time! Whatever the
believer suffers on this earth in order to serve God, it is nothing
compared to eternity in the glorious presence of God!
As a
dream [which seems real] until one awakens, so, O Lord, when You arouse
Yourself [to take note of the wicked], You will despise their outward
show. 21 For my heart was grieved, embittered, and in a state of
ferment, and I was pricked in my heart [as with the sharp fang of an
adder]. 22 So foolish, stupid, and brutish was I, and ignorant; I was
like a beast before You. Psalms 73:20-22 AMP
The psalmist is
honest with God. He confesses the torment he went through, as a result
of feeling that life was unfair, until his conscience pricked him and
he realized the truth – that he was stupid for thinking like that and
stupid for listening to the devil.
Nevertheless I am
continually with You; You do hold my right hand. 24 You will guide me
with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to honor and glory. 25 Whom
have I in heaven but You? And I have no delight or desire on earth
besides You. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the Rock and
firm Strength of my heart and my Portion forever. 27 For behold, those
who are far from You shall perish; You will destroy all who are false
to You and like [spiritual] harlots depart from You. 28 But it is good
for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God and
made Him my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works. Psalms 73:23-28
AMP
The psalmist once again reminds himself of God's
faithfulness and His promises, and he testifies of it to others.
Sometimes we feel that life is unfair and that we have not been
appropriately rewarded for doing right, but we must remind ourselves of
God's goodness. The devil would love to separate us from God with his
lies, but when we hide God's word in our hearts, we will keep on
believing right and talking right and we will live to see His blessing
on our lives.
Recent:
Righteous Now
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV
Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP
“Therefore if any man be in Christ…” What does it mean to be “in Christ”? Galatians 3:27 says, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” You are baptized into Christ when you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Romans 10:9-10 says, “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” And Romans 10:13 says, “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” The moment
Defeating Strife
These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19 AMP
Faith Facts
Faith is persistent
Luke 11:9-10 AMP
So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened.
John 16:24 AMP
Up to this time you have not asked a [single] thing in My Name [as presenting all that I AM]; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy (gladness, delight) may be full and complete.
Faith is single-minded
James 1:5-8 AMP
If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. 6 Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the