Skip to main content

Psalm 73 {envy and nearly lost faith}

 I am joining with  Jenny at A Minute Captured in her Praying Through the Psalms series.
Today is my personal reflection on Psalm 73.  (Please note I am no Biblical scholar!)


It is so easy to envy the rich, especially the ridiculously rich, and wonder why do they have it all and I have nothing like that?  It is even harder to understand when those who are prospering are perceived to be living self-destructive, hurtful lives.  


This is the inner struggle for Asaph in Psalm 73.  He wonders why he has bothered to live an innocent life when he sees the life of ease of the wicked.  It nearly costs him his faith.





But, as for me, I lost my balance; my feet all but slipped,
Because I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
For they suffer no pain; their bodies are healthy and sleek.
They are free of the burdens of life; they are not afflicted like others. 
Psalm 73: 2-5 NAB


He then asks the ultimate question for those trying to live a holy life in the midst of the secular world:

      Did I keep my heart pure for nothing?
        Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?
        I get nothing but trouble all day long;
        every morning brings me pain.
                Psalm73: 13-14 NLV

Haven't we all asked ourselves this at some point? The why bother question.  But this is when  we can remind ourselves that all that glitters is not gold and what may appear like prosperity on the outside can hide the aching souls within.  

The Psalmist remembers this, too, and reclaims his faith, taking comfort knowing that he is led by God's good counsel and that God is holding him by the hand.  

         Though my flesh and my heart fail, God is the rock of my heart, my portion forever.
         Psalm 73:26 NAB


Holding God by the hand brings such great peace to my soul.  His love and strength provide the greatest riches of all. 








Comments

  1. beautiful reflection, Misty. Thank you. I am at a conference this weekend, the theme of which has largely been similiar to what you are saying. It has been about living out poverty, chastity and obedience in the married life. So lovely to hear you echo that message. Blessings, PM

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love the visual of holding the hand of God.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lovely post. Thanks for linking up tot he NOBH:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a powerful psalm. We studied this in church last week. What struck me about this psalm was the ending - "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." (NIV) A great reminder that we have to choose to make Him our refuge, to choose to be with Him. Otherwise the dangerous depths of envy may claim us. Thanks for sharing this - great food for thought. Smiles -

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

~Grace and peace to you~

Popular posts from this blog

Saturday Surfing {favorite spots from around the web}

Saturdays are the perfect time for a little aimless web-wandering and here are few of my recent reads I'd like to recommend to you. The Wild Surrender of Motherhood by Carrie Ann Moss @Annapurna Living This new website launched this week and is absolutely lovely. Remember Carrie Ann Moss from the Matrix movies? Well she is now the founder and inspiration behind this blog.  Here is an excerpt of her vision for annapurnaliving.com : FROM CARRIE-ANNE ... “To see womanhood through eyes of grace.”  My desire is to live in a world where nourishment is valued. I believe a nourished family will lead to a nourished world. I believe life is beautiful and that our divine purpose in this world is to nurture the earth by respecting it and being grateful for what it provides us. My wish is to inspire others to create beautiful, honest and satisfying lives. My Other Ex: Women's True Stories of Leaving and Losing Friends   @A Design So Vast Unfortunately, over the pa...

At the Water's Edge {52 Photos Project}

Sometimes I have to pinch myself that where we live, day after day, is actually a vacation destination for many people who come from far away to spend a weekend on the beach. They may have saved money for months to afford a few days splashing around in the waves and relaxing on the san that makes up our neighborhood. I feel such gratitude that I can zip down the beach road on a whim, as we did yesterday, with less than two hours to spare; we simply needed to swim in the sea. It was almost 100 degrees outside and the sun gleamed in a brilliant blue sky. So off we went, while Kai was at camp, to the beach.  The older two boys swam gleefully as I read Bread and Wine and dreamed of delicious meals to make my sun-kissed family for dinner. At one point I looked up and snapped this photo of my view. Then I pinched myself. This really is our home , our daily vacation spot, the place my boys have now lived for longer than anywhere else in their lives. We are living this beachy ...

Petals :: 52 Photos Project

Where I live the Bradford Pears have bloomed and blown and the Cherry Blossoms are in full blossom.  Even though that means our allergy season is now officially underway, I cannot help opening our windows every morning in hopes of hearing the birds singing to greet the day.  Springtime has conveniently coincided with my personal recovery process from knee surgery.  As I am slowly re-gaining mobility on crutches it seems an added encouragement that the weather is also improving and the trees are welcoming my return with their flowers. What a treat it would be to be able to put down my crutches in time for Easter Sunday and walk again on my own! (I am doubtful but one can hope.) Sharing with 52 Photos Project :: Petals