The Asaph Scourge

Daily Devotion for December 16^th

Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.  But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.  For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.  Psalms 73:1-2

Anyone who claims that there’s no setbacks; battles, or failures after one gives their life to the Lord has obviously not lived it.  The Christian life; although joy unspeakable and full of glory, is also a battle.  Asaph, the writer of this Psalm, revealed some very enlightening truths concerning our struggles and warfare as a child of God.

Psalm 73 is a peculiar Psalm to say the least.  It starts out very warm by uplifting the impeccable character of our wonderful God, but immediately afterward, it takes off on a tangent.  But as for me…here is where the problem starts.  Notice Asaph got his eyes off of the Lord and on the prosperity of the wicked.  The devil will stop at nothing to distract you and get you to a point where you feel you’re missing out by living for God.  Asaph, a once anointed worship leader and appointed by king David, is now being pulled into a horrible pit.  If you’re in ministry or leadership, Satan will attempt to pull you away because in pulling you, he can harm everyone under you or following you. 

What caused Asaph’s feet and steps to falter?  He got his eyes off of the Lord.  It is very possible to become distracted on what the devil can offer but we must remember, all of his tricks are temporary.  They have no lasting cure.  Eyes on the world will cause you to become disoriented, confused and discouraged.  The world has two different stories about God much like the propaganda versus real news in our country.  If you swallow the report of the world, you’ll look at eternity the wrong way.  You, like Asaph, can get to a point to where you view living for God as useless, unless you get back to your first love. 

Asaph remained in this fog of confusion …Until I went into the sanctuary of God verse 17.  Friend, in the sanctuary of God is where you’ll find truth and clarity.  Reality returned when he came back into the house of God.  In the presence of God is where we see the world through eyes of eternity.  The prosperity of the wicked will one day be gone.  Friend, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.  Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.  One day soon, you’ll enter that beautiful city where you’ll realize living for God, although not always the easiest, was the best decision.