When You Think You Got a Raw Deal: A Psalm of Honest Faith

Introduction

Schott story

The psalmist in our Scripture tried to live right and honor God.

He looked around and saw the wicked prospering while he was barely holding on

As we walk through this psalm today, we’re going to discover this truth:

Central Message: Even when the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer, true peace is only found in God’s presence. Earthly success is fleeting, but life with God is eternal.

Let’s follow the path that takes us from feeling that we have a raw deal… to a renewed faith.

Body

A Confession: The Danger of Envy

Psalm 73:2–3 NIV

2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. 3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

My feet had almost slipped.”

“For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”

He started comparing his life of obedience to their life of rebellion, and it seemed like people living in rebellion were having a better life, a life that he envied.

Envy is sneaky.

It rarely announces itself with a loud entrance.

It usually tiptoes into our thoughts with a whisper.

Envy vs. Jealousy

We often confuse two words: envy and jealousy. They’re cousins, close cousins—but they’re not twins  

Envy is when I want what you have.

Jealousy is when I fear losing what I have.

Illustration 1 – Envy: The Promotion That Poisoned the Heart

Illustration 2 – Jealousy: “Three’s a Crowd”

Both envy and jealousy are dangerous if left unexamined.

But in Psalm 73, the psalmist is talking specifically about envy,

Unfairness of the Prosperity of the Wicked

Psalm 73:4–5 NIV

4 They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. 5 They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills. (The wicked get to live without pain)

The psalmist looks at the wicked and sees what appears to be a charmed life.

They’re not sick, not broke, not burdened

And then in verse 8 he says:

“They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.”

They mock righteousness, speak down to others, push people around.

It looks like they’re going to get away with it.

“This isn’t fair!”

And let’s be honest—haven’t we said the same thing?

But here’s where we need to pause and ask an important question:

What’s the difference between fairness and justice?

Fairness vs. Justice

Fairness is subjective: It changes depending on who’s speaking, what they feel they deserve, and how they perceive others are being treated.

Fairness is rooted in human perspective, because we don’t see the whole picture, our definition of fairness is often flawed.

Illustration: Baseball and Life  

Fairness depends on vantage point.

Vantage point changes based on emotion, awareness, and bias. What one person sees as fair,another sees as favoritism.

Justice, is Different

God’s justice is not based on comparison. It’s not based on feelings. It’s not based on popular opinion. It is rooted in His character. It is righteous. It is perfect. And it is eternal. God doesn’t just do justice—He is just.

That means His actions are never based on surface-level appearances. He sees the beginning from the end. He knows the motives of the heart. He weighs every deed—open and hidden. And He judges with a wisdom that we don’t have.

That’s how God works. His justice doesn’t always feel fair—because we don’t have His perspective.

But when God acts, He acts in perfect righteousness. He doesn’t guess. He doesn’t get swayed. He doesn’t overlook truth.

He judges rightly every time.

The God we serve is not swayed by popular opinion, social media, or short term achievements. He is not concerned with the subjectivity of fairness. Justice outweighs fairness.

Why Should We Live Justly? What Is the Point?

Psalm 73:13–14 NIV

13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. 14 All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments.

The psalmist is asking

“What’s the point?”“I’ve tried to walk in integrity.” “I’ve tried to live righteously.” but for what?”

From his point of view, all pure living  got him was pain.

Some of us have asked that very same question.

There's three things that we should realize here

just because we do not see the difficulty in someone's life does not mean they don't face difficulty (Facebook example)

2nd  the difficulties that the psalmist is complaining about are difficulties that you would still have to face if you didn’t follow God.

Third just because obedience doesn’t produce immediate reward, Doesn’t mean it doesn’t have eternal value.

Illustration: Scott and the Training Regimen

“Why am I doing all this? I’m in pain, I’m tired, and they’re enjoying themselves.”

“Scott, the reward isn’t just in what’s happening right now. The reward is in where you’ll be six months from now—when your body is stronger, your mind is clearer, your discipline is sharper. What feels like a loss today is an investment in something lasting.”

God is not shaping us for short-term comfort—He’s shaping us for eternal reward.

Then I Entered the Sanctuary: A Shift of Perspective

Psalm 73:16–17 NIV

16 When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply 17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.

Verse 16 begins with a heavy sigh of confusion:

“When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply…”

“Then I understood their final destiny.”

Illustration: Scott to the overlook  

From that high view, Scott could see:

•     Why that road was closed—they were repairing a water main.

•     Why that exit was backed up—a wreck had been cleared but traffic was still recovering.

•     Why he had been rerouted—it actually got him around a bottleneck he didn’t know was coming.

And right there, the Holy Spirit spoke to his heart—not audibly, but clearly:

“Scott, that’s what I see. While you’re on the ground, frustrated and limited, I see the whole picture. I’m not delaying. I’m directing. I’m not unfair. I’m working all things together—for your good and My glory.”

We live in a noisy world, full of unfairness, temptation, and confusion.

The Heavenly Perspective: The True fate of the Wicked

Psalm 73:18–20 NIV

18 Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. 19 How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! 20 They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.

Look again at verse 18:

“Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.”

God’s justice may seem delayed, but when it arrives, it comes with finality.

When we envy the wicked, we’re envying people who are headed for ruin.

When we think, “I wish I had what they have,” we’re coveting a dream that ends in destruction.

Self-Reflection and Renewed Faith

Psalm 73:24–28 NIV

24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 27 Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. 28 But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

· This is where the psalm turns from observation to praise, and from envy to insight.

“But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.” (v. 28)

· “But as for me…” This statement reminds me of Joshua’s statement to Israel

Conclusion

We’ve walked through a journey today.

It began with envy. With confusion. With the feeling that maybe living right doesn’t pay off.

The psalmist saw the wicked thriving while the righteous suffered. He questioned the value of his obedience. He nearly slipped in his faith.

Call to Action

So what do we do when life feels unfair? When we feel like we’ve gotten a raw deal?

Conclusion of Scott’s Story

Let’s return to Scott one last time.

He’s still standing at that overlook, staring down at the city. Frustrated. Tired. Worn down.

He thinks about the promotion. The jury duty. The traffic. The bills. The people around him who seem to be living easy lives.

But in that quiet moment, something shifts.

Scott sinks to his knees.

And for the first time in a long time, he prays—not a prayer of complaint, but a prayer of surrender:

“God, I don’t understand everything… but I trust You. I don’t want their life—I want Your presence. Be my portion. Be my peace.”

And right there, Scott enters the sanctuary—not a building, but a holy moment with the living God.

And while nothing about his circumstances changes immediately… everything inside him does.

Because now he knows:

He may not have what others have…

But he has the one thing they don’t:

A relationship with Jesus Christ. And that… is enough.

Final Word & Restatement of the Central Message

So when you think you’ve gotten a raw deal—remember this:

Even when the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer, true peace is only found in God's presence. Earthly success is fleeting, but life with God is eternal.

Draw near to God. Let Him reset your perspective. And you’ll discover—like the psalmist, like Scott—that it is good to be near God.