Culture Got You Down?

Psalm 73 is something you have to read every now and then especially in this celebrity obsessed culture of constant instant entertainment.

Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure. But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. (Psalms 73:1-3 NLT)

Who doesn't feel like this at times? Who doesn't wonder why people with no fear of God seem to get ahead? Who doesn't look at the world and its trajectory and wonder if Christianity is true and the guy the Bible is real why does it seem that his enemies are winning?

Answer: things aren't always as they seem.

This is a Psalm about whether we're going to go by what we see about who we know? On the outside anyone's life and look better than yours. On the outside anyone can seem to have it together. That's what he says in verse 4:

They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. (Psalms 73:4 NLT)

But things are not always as they seem.

Where does the Psalmist find the answer? In the presence of God and His Word. In the perspective life after death brings... The resurrection of Jesus changes everything.

Verse 20: When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning. 

What an amazing verse. Dreams in the morning. What a phenomenal way to look at this life. Right now it seems like heaven is a dream and this is the reality. But right after we all take our last breath this life will seem like a dream and the life to come will be the final reality. 

You guide me with your COUNSEL, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. (Psalms 73:24-25 NLT)

We need daily doses of the Word of The Lord. He gave it to us for a reason. By His Word we live and all things hold together. When we feast on His Word, our hearts are opened to it and we come to desire what we were made for.

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. (Psalms 73:28 NLT)

I think about how the turning point in this Psalm was his decision to go to church. We can avoid church if we want, but we will be the ones who suffer with frustrating depressing lives. What a blessing awaits for those who choose willingly to get there and listen and hear from Him.

It is good to be near Him.






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