Psalm 73 Part 2
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1) INTRODUCTION
1) INTRODUCTION
A) Recap
A) Recap
The writer of was Asaph. He was not an ordinary saint but a giant of the faith kind of a saint. Asaph was responsible for much of the worship that took place at the Tabernacle during the time of David the King. If David wanted to hear from God, he would seek after Nathan the Prophet; But, if he wanted to worship God he would seek after Asaph the Levite.
Being a giant in the faith does not preclude you from experiencing trials in your faith.
Abraham struggled in his faith for the promised child, which produced Ishmael.
Noah struggled in his faith after the flood, which produced drunkenness.
David struggled in his faith to be the new king, which produced him aligning himself with the Philistines.
Peter struggled in his faith for unity in Jesus Christ, which produced him taking sides based upon ethnicity while visiting the church at Antioch.
Asaph was struggling in his faith that the Lord is good to Israel, especially those of a clean heart, which produced him almost leaving his post and slipping from the faith.
B) Why
B) Why
This morning our focus will be on why Asaph struggled in his faith. Why did he struggle with something that he concretely believed to be true?
Paul wrote:
(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
Paul wrote this to encourage Christians that there will be a time when we live by sight because we will be in the presence of Jesus Christ; however, now, we live by faith and not sight.
The genesis to our struggles of living by faith will always be our sight. Our five senses and rationalizing in a logical manner will always work against faith.
Consider the great victories we would never read about if not for faith:
Moses parting the Red Sea
Marah’s waters sweetened
Israelites crossing the Jordan River
The widow Zarephath’s meal continuing
Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego and the fiery furnace
Daniel and the lion’s den
Naaman’s healing of leprosy
Peter walking on water
Asaph’s struggle in his statement faith centered on what he saw rather than the truth of God’s word.
2) THE POWER OF ENVY v.3
2) THE POWER OF ENVY v.3
Asaph was Envious
For I was envious at the foolish,
When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
The word “envy” means to be jealous of what others have.
The root of Satan’s rebellion was he wanted what belonged to God alone (he was jealous of God).
Asaph’s struggle was he believed that he was entitled to the good things the foolish received because he had a clean heart.
Truth about envy:
Where does envy come from
But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
b. Envy is absent of love
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
c. Envy is more dangerous than wrath and anger
Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous;
But who is able to stand before envy?
3) THE PROSPERITY OF THE WICKED v.3-12
3) THE PROSPERITY OF THE WICKED v.3-12
The “foolish” were the wicked. The word “foolish” means “to shine, make a show, to boast.”
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
A) The prosperity of the wicked was manifested to Asaph
A) The prosperity of the wicked was manifested to Asaph
They did not have the same trouble as other men
They are not in trouble as other men;
Neither are they plagued like other men.
The word “trouble” means “toil, wearing, worry.”
The saints experienced trouble but the wicked prospered in trouble.
The gratification of their desires
Their eyes stand out with fatness:
They have more than heart could wish.
The increase of possessions
For I was envious at the foolish,
When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Behold, these are the ungodly,
Who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
B) The prosperity of the wicked led to better dying experiences
B) The prosperity of the wicked led to better dying experiences
For there are no bands in their death:
But their strength is firm.
C) The prosperity of the wicked led them to say blasphemous statement attacking God and do wicked things, without repercussions
C) The prosperity of the wicked led them to say blasphemous statement attacking God and do wicked things, without repercussions
Pride
Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain;
Violence covereth them as a garment.
Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord:
Though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
Asaph saw their pride go unpunished.
Tyranny
Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain;
Violence covereth them as a garment.
The word “violence” means ‘unjust gain.” The wicked took what they wanted by force and there was no one there to stop them.
Their violence was as a garment - What they did was open and obvious for all to see.
Blasphemy
They set their mouth against the heavens,
And their tongue walketh through the earth.
4) THE PAIN OF ASAPH v.11-16
4) THE PAIN OF ASAPH v.11-16
When I thought to know this,
It was too painful for me;
What were the thoughts that were too painful for Asaph?
Sorrow of God’s people
Therefore his people return hither:
And waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
Asaph was not alone. Many of God’s people had the same crisis in faith. They would return hither form observing the foolish and wicked with cups full of tears being wrung out.
Doubting God
And they say, How doth God know?
And is there knowledge in the most High?
Vanity of living a godly life
Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain,
And washed my hands in innocency.
The word “verily” places emphasis on this verse.
Why did he come to this conclusion?
For all the day long have I been plagued,
And chastened every morning.
“Plagued” = “Smitten, afflicted, troubled”
“Chastened” - My sufferings - my trials - have been repeated with every returning morning. Each new day has brought some new form of affliction, designed to rebuke and punish me.
What he thought on caused hi to question the essence and existence of the God he worshipped. No wonder he said this was too painful.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
