You’ve gotta love the candor of the Scriptures. Far from shying away from the tough questions or denying the reality of the human experience, the Father instead acknowledges our failings and frailties and uses them to point us to Himself. Such is Psalm 73 . . . .

Asaph, the writer of Psalm 73, is pretty up front about his struggles. He begins with a bottom-line statement of belief, “Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.” (73:1) This he believed . . . this he knew to be true. However, what we know to be true and what we see as the reality of life sometimes are in conflict.

He goes on, “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. They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.” (73:2-5 NLT) He looked over the fence at the backyard of his neighbor who lived for himself and saw more toys . . . and started wondering, “Is this pursuit of the things of God really the abundant life?”

Some serious doubts here . . . things not lining up with what he expected of the “blessings of following God” . . . almost to the point where he stumbled, lost his grip, cashed it in . . . as he considered that perhaps the way of the boastful and self-sufficient might be the better way. It was really wearing on Asaph . . . disillusioned . . . disheartened . . . depressed. What he thought to be true and what was actually playing out seemed to be way out of kilter. So what was the answer? How was he to work through these doubts? How do you make sense of things that don’t make sense?

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 73:16 ESV)

When Asaph entered the sanctuary of God, then things became clear. And we’re not talking so much of the sanctuary as a place of God . . . but more as the presence of God. I think the idea here is that of getting “up close and personal” with the Father . . . seeking the place of God’s glory . . . boldly approaching His throne of grace. In his doubt and questioning . . . during that time he was near to stumbling . . . Asaph determines to continue to make his way into the presence of God . . . to seek the face of God . . . to draw near in faith . . . to trust that His word is true. And, in that determined pursuit for the mind of God, God answers the questioning of his heart. It’s in the presence of God that the things of earth are put into context. Experiencing communion with the Eternal has a way of bringing clarity to the temporal. Remembering the promise has a way of providing strength to deal with the pressure.

Oh, how gracious God is to the doubting heart and confused mind if we’ll but determine to continue to seek Him in the holy place. Asaph recognized how foolish and ignorant his doubting was (73:22) as he was brought into fresh remembrance of the faithfulness of His God . . . and the future of promise that was his . . .

Nevertheless, I am continually with You; You hold my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You.  
(Psalm 73:23-25 ESV)

Heaven is my home . . . it’s the prize . . . the temporal “rewards of earth” pale in comparison with the eternal inheritance awaiting me and all those who long for His appearing.

God is my refuge . . . my Redeemer is faithful and true . . . let all other “realities of earth” be understood and interpreted in that reality.

(If you have another 3 1/2 minutes, click here  to hear “My Redeemer is Faithful and True”)