Psalm 73:16-17: “But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.”
Psalm 73 was written by a man named Asaph. Who was Asaph? King David appointed a few Levite Kings as worship leaders. Asaph was one of these singers. Asaph and Kind David were skilled poets and musicians. Psalms 50 and 73-83 are attributed to Asaph.
Asaph confesses he struggled and was consumed with envy, bitterness, and feeling resentful towards wicked people that appeared flamboyantly wealthy and prosper, in Psalm 73. My husband and I just went on two separate tours at Hearst Castle. The word elaborate cannot describe it all. Mr. Randall William Hearst had the first indoor Roman pool with pure gold trimmed tiles which held 205,000 gallons of water, 58 bedrooms are numbered in the whole complex, 345,000 gallons of water were in the Neptune pool, 25,000 artifacts, several statues are found throughout the 123 acres of gardens, a theater where movies were shown, rare tapestries hang on the walls, etc., etc. Many Hollywood actors, politicians, journalists, and famous artists were frequent guests of Mr. Hearst, at this home. Some of the names you may recognize were Howard Hughes, Hedda Hopper, Winston Churchill, Charles Lindbergh, Clark Gable, Charlie Chaplin, Joan Crawford, Carry Grant, Barbara Stanwyck, and Robert Taylor, to name just a few. Wealth was elaborately displayed. Walking through the grounds and rooms of Hearst Castle reminded me of what Aspah talked about in Psalm 73 in regards to looking at what the rich and famous have in comparison to what I have (although this is an extreme example). I don’t desire to live in such luxury, but it serves as a similar setting for what Asaph referred to in this Psalm.
I think we all can relate to this age old problem of looking at the material abundance in others’ lives that don’t follow Christ in comparison to our lot in life. Asaph was envious when he looked at the material wealth and prosperity of those around him that did not follow and believe in God. In today’s culture Asaph would wonder how this elite could afford their big homes, expensive cars, and famous designer clothes. What’s more, they appeared to not have any troubles in life, were carefree, and their wealth kept increasing. He also noticed they were very prideful and were atheists – they didn’t believe in God. Others deny God’s involvement in the world. Their greed consumes them and rules their lives. Don’t we all feel this way at times too when we compare what we have with others that are not living the Christian walk, have a sinful lifestyle, and look at outer fluff other people own? I confess I have done that at times.
But Asaph comes to the realization and conclusion that when he gets alone with God – “until I went into the sanctuary of God” then he had the light of spiritual realities from receiving and discerning God’s wisdom. He realized these wealthy unbelievers are all going to die someday, that will be their destiny, and that he was (Ps. 73:22) “ignorant.” The HCSB used the words “stupid and didn’t understand.” He realized in the end that their judgment day is coming. All of their material possessions won’t matter then as they are temporary because their life will end someday. Everyone has an appointed day to die, as Hebrews 9:27 declares: “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” No one is exempt. However we as believer’s in Christ, look forward to someday receiving our eternal rewards (Revelation 22:12).
How important it is for us as well to have our “sanctuary” time alone, just God and I, every day, to free our thoughts of being stupid, ignorant, and forgetting God is sovereign. Nothing can derail God’s ultimate purposes. We need our minds cleared of the political unrest in our world which keeps escalating, the facts not reportedly truthfully on the news, the burdens that we are carrying, and the big decisions we have to figure out. Asaph realizes this kind of thinking (“envious of the arrogant”) will ruin one’s faith. The importance of material possessions vs. an eternal perspective suddenly becomes apparent. He continues then to declare that:
- God holds my right hand – v. 23
- God guides me with his counsel – v. 24
- God is the strength of my portion and heart – v. 26.
- The lost will perish – v27.
- God ‘s presence is all he needs– v. 28
- Asaph made God his refuge so he could tell others of God’s power – v. 28.
Asaph went through a period of doubt and disillusionment when overthinking about the stark comparison others have, that appeared to be much more than he did. Until Aspah entered the sanctuary of God, he could not realize God’s justice will eventually be done. Once he spent quality time alone with God, he wrote these strong words in verse 25: “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.”
Jesus said in Matthew 25:19-21:
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Do you have quality time in your own “sanctuary” time with God?
Where does your mind go when it drifts or daydreams? What consumes your thoughts?
Has your faith been tested by a trial in your life? What lesson did God teach you through that process?
“A prayerless Christian is like a bus driver trying alone to push his bus out of a rut because he doesn’t know Clark Kent is on board.” ― John Piper, Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist
“The longer the tea bag sits in the cup, the stronger the tea. The more God’s Word saturates our minds, the clearer our grasp on what’s important to Him and the stronger our prayers.” Joni Eareckson Tada.
I highly recommend the book, “Seated With Christ. Living Freely in a Culture of Comparison” by Heather Holleman. Foreword is written by Joni Eareckson Tada. Here is an excerpt from this book: “Because you’re seated in Christ at your own seat, this day will look nothing like your best friend’s, your co-worker’s, or your neighbor’s . . . I don’t need to worry about any other seat at this table in the heavenly realms. I just sit in my seat and understand that God is working in me to live the life He has planned for me.”
Listen to Danny Gokey “Give Me Jesus”