Right Perspective

Ps. 73:17

"Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end."

In this psalm Asaph shares his near fall when his feet almost stumbled causing him to slip. But thankfully, it was an 'almost' situation. As he took his eyes off God, he looked at the arrogant and the wicked. From a human perspective, they were prosperous with sleek, fat bodies, and successful, in fact, more so than most men. "Pride was their necklace and violence covered them as a garment." Their words contained malice, threats, and threatenings. But the worst was that they set themselves against the heavens, against God.

As people questioned God's knowledge of them, they compared their lives to the lives of these people. They wondered what was the purpose of their religious cleanliness if these ungodly people could be so at ease in their riches. Did God even know what was going on? Asaph was weary to understand this inequity until he went to the sanctuary of the Lord. It was there that his perspective changed! As soon as he understood their end from God's perspective, his heart was pricked. He confessed his attitude and behavior and drew near to God. He knew God would put an end to those who were unfaithful to Him, but for him, he must only stay near to God. God was in control.

What an insight! It is so easy to fall into the sin of comparison, looking at others and wondering why. Those actions and attitudes only end in doubt, in stumbling, and in falling. Asaph learned that he could rest in a Sovereign God and trust His plan and purpose. Like him, I need to keep my focus on God and my relationship with Him and not be concerned about others, about their successes and failures, and about their riches and arrogance.

Father,

Keep my eyes on You alone so that I don't stumble and fall into the trap of comparison. Help me to rest in Your sovereign plan for my life.

In Jesus name,

Amen