Psalm 73: what really matters
The message of this psalm is very nicely summed up in verses 27-28: “Truly, those who abandon You will perish; You destroy those who adulterously desert you, whereas my happiness is to be near God. I have made the Lord Yahweh my refuge, to tell of all your works.” That’s not to say you shouldn’t read the other verses. They give the background behind the bold statement made in the two verses above.
Indeed, the verses that precede these last two are too juicy to pass up. I was reading an article that summed up some of the richest people currently living in London yesterday evening. It was on Forbes. Having recently passed the age of 30, I’ve started thinking about what I’ve really done thus far. How have I provided for my old age (given that the world will last that long)? What have I done to ensure that I can provide for my wife? Can I truly help others with the resources I currently have? Truth is, if I needed to help my family or relatives out with money, I probably wouldn’t be able to make too much of a difference. And when I read about these rich people, I can’t help feeling a little envious, especially since they’re pretty young. There was another article I read recently, about the richest people in Asia, also on Forbes. The majority of those were either in their 20s or 30s. I couldn’t help feeling inadequate. But then you read about how some of these rich people of the world made their money, and it turns out most made them through various shady deals that were either unethical or immoral or outright illegal in civilized countries. However, since they weren’t making that money in civilized countries, but in developing countries, they got away with it.
And then I read this psalm, and it’s talking about the very same things: “My feet were on the point of stumbling, a little more and I had slipped, envying the arrogant as I did, and seeing the prosperity of the wicked.” This goes on through verse 8, where the author of the psalm writes: “Cynically they advocate evil, loftily they advocate force. Their mouth claims heaven for themselves, and their tongue is never still on earth. That is why my people turn to them, and enjoy the waters of plenty, saying, ‘How can God know? What knowledge can the Most High have?’ That is what the wicked are like, piling up wealth without any worries.”
Then the author asks the very same question I ask myself, and I’m sure I’m not alone in this: “Was it useless, then, to have kept my own heart clean, to have washed my hands in innocence?” Well, was it? Don’t we wonder this as we ponder our current states? Is it really worth it to try and live a righteous life, a good life, to live according to God’s law?
Yes, it is, but all knew that in our hearts already, didn’t we? And just to enforce that belief, read on to see what happens to the wicked: “You place them on a slippery slope and drive them down into chaos. How sudden their hideous destruction! They are swept away, annihilated by terror! Like a dream upon waking, Lord, when you awake, you dismiss their image.” These rich people with guilty consciences may enjoy their money and wealth in the here and now, but they, along with their money, will soon be gone, and in the end, they’ll receive what’s coming to them. I’m not saying this to make any of them feel bad, because I doubt they care about what I have to say. I say this to remind those of us who are asking the questions I posed above what will happen if we don’t stay close to God and deal justly and ethically with everyone.
I’m not saying Christians aren’t meant to be rich. I’m sure there are rich Christians. But our goal shouldn’t be to be rich. Our paramount goal should be to stay close to God. If He thinks we can handle being rich, and will use our wealth for good, Godly purposes, then He’ll make us rich. But let’s let Him worry about that, and focus on our relationship with Him instead!
We know God will take care of us, no matter what our financial state is. “You grasped me by the right hand; You will guide me with advice, and will draw me in the wake of Your glory.” What’s more, do we really lack anything we need here on earth, even though we’re not rich? “And, with you, I lack nothing on earth.” Is it any wonder we feel this deep need to stay close to God? “My heart and my flesh are pining away: my heart’s rock, my portion, God for ever!”
I know God has always provided for me. There were times when I was extremely limited in my resources, and wasn’t sure whether I’d have enough for food/mortgage, but He’s always provided. Somehow the money always lasted, even though when I’d add it up, it shouldn’t have. God works miracles in our lives, every day. We just have to stop and realize what He does for us, then thank Him. He truly is an amazing God, the only God, the greatest God! We’d do well to stay close to Him! “I have made the Lord Yahweh my refuge, to tell of all Your works.” Amen!
