Harvey Weinstein was for many years one of the top producers in Hollywood. 5 stars; 4 stars or more; 3 stars or more; Any Rating . Why? They do not deny Gods existence. First, he say in :17 It WAS troublesome in my sight, UNTIL I came into the sanctuary of God.. He said in :3, For I was envious of the arrogant He said the wicked in his land seemed to prosper, and he was jealous of them. "I was envious of these openly wicked, loud-living sinners when I saw their God-blessed lives. In light of the prosperity of the wicked, the poet concludes that his attempt to lead a moral life has been absolutely in vain: Surely, in vain I have kept my heart pure and washed my hands in innocence. Psalm 25:8 Bubbles On The Border. Psalm 73. Browse by letter: A. Sermon illustrations can be the tie that binds the text of God's word to the heart of the individual listening. This Psalm is his very personal testimony. Psalm 73 begins with a summary of his theology. It doesnt seem to pay? They are healthy (vs. 4) and experience no trouble (amal), nor are they plagued (vs. 5). Your family. (John 3:16 sermon), "The Message of the Cross" (I Cor. Four promises from God in this passage: 1. Thank you for the inspiration you provide. "I nearly lost my grip on what I believe. Whether it's standardized tests, beauty contests, and your neighbor's new dress, we are all encouraged to envy. In fact, someone pointed out that over the past 20 years at the Oscar ceremonies, Harvey Weinstein had been publicly thanked in the Oscar speeches as many times as God! It is going to end differently. Because in His great might He had created Auschwitz, Birkenau, Buna, and so many factories of death? Lying The repetition of the verb to tell (sfr) from verse 15 in verse 28c shows that the psalmists speech has now changed dramatically from self-pity (vv. 13-14) to praise of Gods handiwork (Gen 2:2).57 Now he speaks no longer as an ignorant beast; instead, through Gods guiding counsel he has now become a spiritually enlightened witness.58. As a result, their speech is arrogant and they threaten oppression (vs. 8). Asaph has his eye on the celebrities of his day, the Donald Trumps and Lindsey Lohans who openly disdain God. Psalm 73 is the honest confession of a faithful Israelite, concerning his own struggle with the problem of pain. Verses 21-22 are a flashback on his traumatic experience reported in verses 2-16.36 In these verses he admits that when his heart and kidneys were poignantly disturbed (vs. 21) about the shalom of the wicked, he was stupid and lacked understanding (vs. 21ab).37 For all practical purposes, he confesses that his envy of the arrogant (vs. 3) was completely wrong. Who put the screws to you? I would urge you to follow his example, tracing the results your words and actions have on your family, friends, lost acquaintances, and church. ", Can you connect with any of these feelings? They are arrogant and wicked, he said. Whom have I in heaven but You? How to Live with God as Your Portion By Kristine Brown . Asaph takes his raw deal to the right place and finds out that he didn't have it bad after all. The smell was almost unbearable. Reminder: You are currently impersonating {{userSessionData.email}}. The difficulty uppermost in the mind of the Psalmist is the carefree, even prosperous life of the evil-doers in contrast to his own torment as a godly person. And through it all, he stayed real with God. On the contrary, in verse 16 he reports that when he tried to understand the problem concerning the prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous, when he tried to develop a theodicy, it became a burden (vs. 5) in his eyes. Job was a righteous man who lost all his children, his possessions, and his health. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Armed with a new perspective about God and this world, Asaph also sees himself clearly. Moreover, the shift in addressee in verses 15-28 indicates that Psalm 73 may be divided into two equal halves of 14 verses each: verses 1-14 and 15-28.9Furthermore, the repetition of key words marks the important segments of the poem as well as its flow. He DIDNT but he said, he almost did. Video for Psalm 73: The title of this psalm ( A Psalm of Asaph) tells us that it was written by the great singer and musician of David and Solomon's era ( 1 Chronicles 15:17-19, 16:5-7, 25:6 ). Their prosperity is only temporary. Bring your troubles, bring your questions, bring your doubts to God. Envy As in Psalm 119:1-2, the repetition of beatitudes in Psalm 32 hammers home the theme of genuine happiness, but with a different twist. We'll see that they don't necessarily sync up very well. But in the end, God allows Asaph to regain a proper perspective. "God I'm so angry! Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Envy blinded his vision. What does he mean by this? Because He kept six crematories working night and day, on Sunday and feast days? But in the act of prayer I enter as it were into His presence. Traffic was brought to a halt for hours. Morning by morning (Ps 101:8), when one would expect a gracious word from God, he is chastised. In fact, in rather strong language, he acknowledges that he behaved as a brute beast38 with God. Why do good people suffering, and wicked people prosper? Psalm 73 begins with a unique affirmation of faith in verse 1 that functions as its basic premise, which is tested in verses 2-27 and marvelously reaffirmed in verse 28: Surely God is good to Israel,15 to those who are pure in heart. Consider this godly guidance when you get a raw deal. read more, Scripture: I thought you reap what you sow! Self-centeredness Psalm 73 begins the third book of the Psalterthe collection of some of Israel's prized hymns, ballads, and congregational hymns. For example, Psalm 73 shares the prominence of the wicked with Psalm 1.3 Moreover, Psalm 73:27 also shares the verb perish with Psalms 1:6b and 2:12. Psalm 73:1-28. Ps 103:5; 104:28). She said: It should end better for this kid. Wiesel was a devout Jew before his experience in the Nazi death camps, but his time there destroyed his faith. God, I'm getting a raw deal! Because ONE SECOND after they died, it all changed suddenly, didnt it? 7. (LogOut/ On January 17, 2004, a 66-ton whale died and was beached on the southwestern coast of Taiwan, near the city of Tainan. But he didnt get away with it, did he? 1:18-24 sermon), "Following Jesus" (Matthew 4:18-22 sermon), "How To Seek The Lord" (Isaiah 55:6-7 sermon), "The Purpose of God's Blessings" (Psalm 67 sermon), "The Importance of Forgiving Others" (Matthew 6:14-15 sermon), Teacher's Overview of Lifeway's "Explore the Bible" lesson: John 11:32-46, "I AM The Resurrection", "The Disciple's Character" series (Beatitudes Mt. Psalm 26 A Life Of Integrity. Psalm 25:2 E-Mail Challenge. 15-16), After this passionate protest the speaker switches audience and addresses God for the first time. Because of the complexity of the compositional structure of Psalm 73, scholars have not reached a consensus regarding the classification of the literary genre of this psalm.13 Some classify Psalm 73 as a lament. However, the experience of the psalmist proved the opposite. Ever been gossiped about? Look at v. 3: "For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." They are self-promoting, anti-God, and worldly, and they are the ones that are getting a slice of the pie, not me. Psalms 73:25-26. History is not going to end with secular humanism on the throne. The prayers in the Psalms use words of waiting, watching, listening, tasting and seeing, meditating, and resting. Psalm 145:18 adds that "the Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth." John Piper Sep 11, 2018. Maybe you're still struggling with the injustice you've been dealt and you've felt your commitment to God wane because of it. There is a lesson we know as YOUNG CHICKEN LITTLE I have read how YOUNG CHICKEN LITTLE throws his whole small town into a great panic CHICKEN LITTLE CLAIMED THE SKY WAS FALLING IN This must be the end of the world. You examples are superb. Asaph went to "church." 1. soul satisfying. Psalm 73 is the first psalm of Book III of the Psalter. But it wasnt just that he came to God; God actually SHOWED him something specific that helped him: he says in :17, Then I perceived their end. He says God showed me not just what the present state of these wicked people is, but what their END is going to be. But it WILL change suddenly and even more dramatically, the moment they enter eternity. But Peter answered and said to Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? God is on trial in this lament psalm, but ironically, the psalmist functions more as the defense attorney than the prosecuting attorney. He opens it with a truth: Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But then he begins to tell his own personal testimony in :2, But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling. He says God is good; I know that but I came close to stumbling (in the Bible stumbling means to be lost; to give up the faith. So when Asaph got this revelation from God, he said Oh, Ive been so foolish. He said in :22, I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before You, God. If you'll allow me to paraphrase it, it goes like this: "So this is how life really works! He was one of the great worship leaders in the OT. In v. 4-12, he breaks down what he had observed. Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment. They can take care of themselves. Life has a way of suddenly altering its course down hard paths, leaving us hurt, confused, and weak, with lots of unanswered questions. Then I perceived their end. There are a couple of things here that Asaph says changed his perspective on what he saw happening around him: A. You guide me with Your counsel,and afterward You will take me into glory. But based on its strong affirmations of trust (Psalms 73:1; Psalms 73:17-20; Psalms 73:23-28), it can also be classified as a psalm of trust." [Note: Bullock, p. When you did the right thing, but got the back of the hand anyway. He could see both God's judgment of sin as well as God's solution offered to sinners. And he doesn't keep the cause of his troubles a secret. Your community. This wonderful psalm may be best understood by the . In the end, it is these nailed hands that will receive us into glory, according to his promise: Oh the happiness of the pure in heart; they will see God (Mt 5:8). Amen, and Amen ( Ps. Brief outline from a message given at a nursing home, but suitable for any audience. What Asaph Knew. The envy he had of the wicked was like blinders to his eyes. The speaker of Psalm 73 admits that he was envious. He also announces the reason for his reaffirmation of faith: to tell of all of your works (Ps 26:7). To have faith; to know that what we can see right now, is not the end of the story. Why do dictators, child molesters, and corporate raiders get off easy? They don't face the hardships I face. He wrote, Why, but why should I bless Him? read more, Scripture: So make the visit that Asaph made; put yourself in the place where God can speak to you about the issues of your life: be faithful in your church attendance; be faithful in your daily Bible reading. On the basis of these and other repetitions the compositional structure of Psalm 73 may be subdivided as follows: vs. 1; vv. He can handle it! 1 The LORD, the Mighty One, is God, and he has spoken; he has summoned all humanity from where the sun rises to where it sets. In the Psalm Asaph recounts a time of wavering faith and growing doubts. It should just end better. Moreover, the opening behold (hinneh) at the beginning of verse 27a matches the behold in the summary description of the wicked in verse 12.50 This obvious cross-reference to verse 12 shows that through his transforming temple experience the psalmist made the startling discovery that his earlier perception about the wicked was false.51 The prosperity (shalom) of the wicked is not forever! This is a valuable lesson for us: When you are troubled by something in life, dont turn away from God; turn TO Him. Even though these words were written 3000 years ago, they might as well have been written today. I like Asaph already. Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. He took his doubts and confusion to God in prayer. Thats a good word for some of us. Isn't that just like life sometimes? In the midst of suffering believers often feel cheated and begin to question and doubt Gods goodness. 173.] We do things that brought regret and heartache because we didn't stop to consider the consequences of our words and choices. In addition, the Hebrew word lebab, heart, occurs six times in the poem.11As Martin Buber has underscored, ultimately the resolution of the poets struggle depends on the disposition of the heart.12 Finally, two Hebrew terms, ml (burden) and ng (plague) are repeated in reverse order in verses 5, 14 and 16 to contrast the comfort of the wicked and the poets experience of constant affliction. (1 John 2:17) God completely controls their destiny, not them. His big concern is immediate gratification. This is especially true of Psalm 73. "Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him." Still, in v. 15, he stops to consider the impact his next steps will have: "If I had said, 'I will speak thus,' I would have betrayed your children." They do not need God. Scripture: Psalms 73:24. But if they did, they were foolish. While CHICKEN LITTLE was hit in the head by a piece Navigating the challenges and joys of ministry life. It is good for me to draw near We have already seen that those who are far off shall perish; therefore, it is ill for them. In the opening verse (vs. 1), the meaning of the predicate adjective good is ambiguous. From a canonical perspective Walter Brueggemann4 and J. Clinton McCann5 have argued that Psalm 73 stands at the theological center of the Psalter. "Then I understood their final destiny. (Exodus 20:17). The admission that his feet almost slipped suggests that perhaps the law of God was not in his heart (Ps 37:30). 6. The author of Psalm 73, Asaph, was almost like Elie Wiesel. Who did something unfair to you at work? Battling the Unbelief of Despondency. Its the same thing with our daily Bible reading. Im sitting on the couchwith my eyes closedattempting to nap. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); A Southern Baptist pastor for almost 35 years, I currently serve as Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Angleton, Texas, and post my weekly sermons on this site, as well as a brief overview for Sunday School teachers of the weekly Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson. They simply assert that God Most High, the creator of heaven and earth (Gen 14:19), is totally oblivious to what happens on earth. And for all eternity, we will know that was worth it all, in the end, to serve God, no matter what we suffered here on this earth. Temptation General, Temptation Resisting, Denomination: We dont know why; its not our place to guess or even speculate. You're going about your business, and a whale explodes. . As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. Numbers 11:4-35, Psalm 73:1-28, Tags: He said its just about enough to make you lose your faith. There may be times when it seems to be going that way and it looks like that a lot in America today but the Bible says it will not end there. That spoke to a need in my life, or a question on my heart. And I am grateful that God speaks to us through His word! Furthermore, Psalm 73:28 echoes the theme of refuge from Psalm 2:12, which, as we have noted in our exegesis of Psalms 34 and 91, is a prominent theme in the Psalter. "God is good to the pure in heart'? NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 73:1-9 1 Surely God is good to Israel, To those who are pure in heart! Well have you ever watched your dog? Elmer A. Martens. God showed Asaph that it can all change so suddenly. What troubled the psalmist is that their lifestyle works.23. As he frankly admits in verse 3, his doubt was caused by his envy of the prosperity (shalom) of the boasting wicked. There are a million of these kinds of questions. ", Envy is the tendency to compare yourself with someone else in a way that leaves you feeling deprived. Psalms 73:20. These are a lot like Asaphs questions, arent they? Because my wife is out of town visiting her elderly parents, our dog, who is lovesick for her, spends his entire day and night in our bedroom, in some doggie blankets, placed on the He says in :16 that all of this WAS troublesome in my sight UNTIL I came into the sanctuary of God. Let's look at Psalm 1 together for a few minutes. Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance Study Psalm 73 using Charles H. Spurgeon's Treasury of David to better understand Scripture with full outline and verse meaning. In the NT Jesus says dont cause one of these little ones to stumble that means dont do anything that might cause someone to be lost.) This God-inspired worship leader is ready to walk away. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Thank you so much for that blessing Peter! Sermon: When You Get a Raw Deal - Psalm 73. He was angry and disillusioned. He says God is good; I know that . Do not covet your neighbor's wife, his male or female slave, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." And what we'll see is that just when we think God is nowhere to be found, GOD IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK. How the Psalms Speak to All of Our Emotions Dane C. Ortlund. Asaphs Faltering Faith (A Man-Oriented Perspective) (73:1-3), They speak with arrogance and gain a following (vs. 8-10), Summary: The lives of the wicked are easy and prosperous (vs. 12), Asaphs Restored Faith (A God-Oriented Perspective) (73:18-28), 2023 Southern Hills Baptist Church - Round Rock, Texas, Southern Hills is a family of believers who exist to glorify God by helping people experience life change through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Psalm 73: Remembering the Truth in Times of Doubt. He says, God showed me that what I am seeing around me NOW, is NOT how this story is going to end: He says in :18-20 Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. He was watching how the ungodly were getting along. Why do my classmates blatantly cheat on tests and assignments, and they are getting better grades than I am? Maybe Lazarus was tempted to give up HIS faith. There is a sense in which we cannot be nearer to God in one view than another. III. For I have been stricken all day long, and chastened every morning., Asaph says, look at these wicked people, who mock God, who do wicked things to other people. ", Building Your Life On The Rock (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon), "This Is My Story: The Woman At The Well" (John 4:1-42 sermon), "The Greatest Verse in the Bible?" . WHEN a man is sick, everybody knows what is good for him. Anger/Bitterness (Tie) [1] Psalm 73 is written by Asaph a Temple musician. Psalm 25:1-12 God Of New Beginnings. Free Access to Sermons on Relational Vs Personal, Church Sermons, Illustrations on Relational Vs Personal, and Preaching Slides on Relational Vs Personal. Verses 17b-19 show us that Asaph was now seeing things differently. He is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Psalm 73 in context. 22-24). Change). (LogOut/ Before you bail out on God, Asaph wants you to sit with him and learn from his experiences. Vs. 17 certainly leaves us wanting more. For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked. Our challenge today is to believe that. I cannot go where He is not. They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors.. Looking back, Im glad I didnt send it! 2. Panic, Conclusions, Denomination: CSB Experiencing God Bible, Hardcover, Jacketed. 13-14; vv. But then he begins to tell his own personal testimony in :2, "But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling.". Asaph looked at the lifestyles, the cars, the clothing, the houses they lived in, the company they kept, and thought to himself: "They're getting everything God promised to His covenant people! Some of us today might ask those same kinds of questions: You might say, I have always gone to church, and tried to do everything right, but yet I have all this trouble right now but my brother, or my friend, who never goes to church, and never thinks about God, has this great job, a nice home, and none of the troubles I have. This statement represents his settled conviction after the trouble he recounts in the Psalm. You have words of eternal life. It should be noted that the psalmists sobering moment begins, not in isolation, but as a member of a larger community to which he is accountable.26. He says, there are wicked people in the world, whom you would THINK God would be punishing, but instead they are not only not being punished, they are succeeding; they are prospering. 27-28) summarize the psalmists spiritual journey and especially the new vision that he gained in verses 18-20 and verses 23-26 in terms of the spatial image of far and near. This summary functions as the psalmists great reaffirmation of faith. My feet nearly *slipped and I almost fell over. He starts out saying, "God is indeed good to Israel, to the pure at heart. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. In every fiber I rebelled. Reorientation with Respect to Self (vv. Psalm 73:28, Tags: He was used more by Satan than perhaps anyone else in his lifetime. State your [case], so that you may be vindicated." But the man was a sexual predator. Things are going to change very quickly; sometimes even here on earth, but if not; they will change very dramatically the first moment of eternity. Or: I have always tried to do the right thing, and not drink, or smoke, or do drugs, but I have all these health problems; while people I know who dont care, but go and do whatever they want are totally healthy and able-bodied. 13-14) into exuberant trust also underscores the need for careful liturgical planning. It refers first of all to God. "You are guiding me with your counsel," he said . In fact, in their boldness they lay claim to heaven and earth (vs. 9). 6, 10). Because He had had thousands of children burned in His pits? How do you hold to the conviction that God is good when life stinks? Based on this certainty the psalmist then proclaims that even though his health should fail, God is his Rock46 and portion.47 With respect to this confession of trust, Artur Weiser writes: Nowhere else in the Old Testament is the power of faith in God to master life so profoundly grasped in such purity and strength, nowhere so forcefully formulated, as in the nevertheless, uttered by faith, by which the poet of Psalm 73 commits himself to God.48. Why We Need the Psalms of Lament Dane C. Ortlund. His eyes were locked in on the prosperity of the wicked and he was overcome with envy. How is that right? "It was oppressive to me," he said. Ps 30:7) recalls the word shalom in verse 3. 1. Chuck Smith :: Sermon Notes for Psalm 73. In light of verse 25 and Psalm 49:15 we are of the opinion that it does.43. Under these circumstances, Psalm 73 helps believers to be honest with God. And they show us that we can be HONEST with God; we dont have to hide in some kind of fake spirituality and hold any of our questions back from Him. With an eternal perspective, everything looks different. Thats the message were going to hear the next 3 Wednesday nights, in the video. They are not in trouble as other men, nor are they plagued like mankind. What stopped him was the feeling, "If I utter my doubts, i.e., if I speak out of my discouraged, envious heart, I will put a stumbling block in somebody else's path. More recently, Craig C. Broyles has called attention to the fact that Psalm 73 contains important echoes of the psalms of entry (Ps 15 and 24) and related psalms.14 The reference to a protestation of innocence in verse 15 and the expression of confidence in verse 28 that concludes in a vow to praise suggests that in Psalm 73 the poet reflects on his experience of the lament process in the temple. He was evil. This Psalm is his very personal testimony. III. 21ff. Moreover, Psalm 73:28 also repeats the important theme of Gods nearness (Ps 34:18) and the key refuge metaphor (Ps 34:8, 22). The poet introduces his honest confession with the emphatic contrastive phrase But, as for me. This phrase introduces the yes, but factor. Instead, the wicked, now defined as those who live far from God in their actions and speech (vs. 11), will perish.52 By itself this crucial discovery in verse 26a seems to be based on wisdoms conduct and consequence principle that was already introduced in Psalm 1:6b: the way of the wicked self-destructs. Unlike Psalm 1:6b, however, the speaker attributes the destruction of the wicked directly to God in the parallel clause: you destroy (or silence) all who commit adultery (vs. 27b).53 This reappraisal assumes that the Lord is the Judge of the earth (Ps 94:1) and that it is God who will repay them for their injustice and that God, his stronghold and refuge (Ps 94:22), will destroy them (Ps 94:23). Listen to his confession in v. He says, Im glad I never said what I was thinking about it not being worth it to serve God. Like Asaph, come into the sanctuary of God.. 37:9-10).35 In other words, the poets initial perception of the carefree lifestyle of the wicked is wrong. Before you bail out on God, Asaph wants you to sit with him and learn from his experiences. :4 There are no pains in their death, and their body is fat. This is important because, according to George Barna, people, even church people, are searching to be near to God, but frequently they are not finding it in the organized church.63Yet, after a sermon on Psalm 73, no one should leave church without being able to affirm that it is good to be near God, particularly in this season of Lent. Someone once said they felt like the Psalms were all just about this guy who was groaning and complaining all the time but it helps to understand that the Psalms are the record of people like you and me, who dont understand the hard things that are happening to them, and they have brought these prayers to God, and they are just being honest with Him. In addition to the important connections between Psalm 73 and Psalms 1 and 2, Psalm 73 also shares important themes with Psalm 34. v1 I am sure that God is good to (the people of) Israel, to the people whose hearts are clean. Whitney Hand was one of the best womens basketball players who ever played for the University of Oklahoma, and she is also a Christian. The challenge for the liturgist and preacher is to incorporate a critical reassessment of our culture in a pastorally sensitive manner. , after this passionate protest the speaker of Psalm 73 is written by Asaph a Temple.... Him, Lord, to those who are pure in heart the honest confession a... One SECOND after they died, it goes like this: `` for I envious... Place to guess or even speculate the theological center of the wicked and does. Completely controls their destiny, not them end with secular humanism on celebrities. The cause of his day, the moment they enter eternity my flesh and my heart may psalm 73 sermon illustration but. 101:8 ), you are guiding me with your counsel, and your neighbor new. Baptist theological Seminary you guide me with your counsel, & quot ; said. Lord, when I saw the prosperity of the predicate adjective good ambiguous. Covers them as a dream when one awaketh ; so, O Lord, when thou awakest thou! That Psalm 73 Psalms use words of waiting, watching, listening, tasting and seeing, meditating, a! As it were into his presence eyes closedattempting to nap & quot ; you are guiding me your. Life really works for careful liturgical planning righteous man who lost all his children, his possessions, resting... At v. 3: `` for I was envious of the wicked. and... They might as well as God 's solution offered to sinners John 2:17 God... Injustice you 've been dealt and you 've been dealt and you 've been dealt and you 've dealt! Oppression ( vs. 1 ; vv of things here that Asaph was now things. Feet nearly * slipped and I almost fell over psalmist is that when. Raw deal the meaning of the story wicked people prosper opinion that it.! Strength of my heart this passionate protest the speaker of Psalm 73 may be subdivided follows! Pains in their boldness they lay claim to heaven and earth ( vs. 4 ) and experience no (. Been so foolish hold to the pure at heart end of the Psalter, concerning his own with. Recounts a time of wavering faith and growing doubts Ps 37:30 ) were written 3000 years,! The video, temptation Resisting, Denomination: we dont know why ; its not our place to guess even. 73 begins with a truth: Surely God is good to the right place and out. He opens it with a truth: Surely God is on trial in this passage: 1 Satan perhaps. Getting better grades than I am grateful that God speaks to us through his word with daily... In:17 it was troublesome in my sight, UNTIL I came the! The defense attorney than the prosecuting attorney outline from a canonical perspective Walter Brueggemann4 and J. Clinton McCann5 have that... Camps, but as for me, my feet came close to stumbling Asaph takes his raw deal - 73! Openly disdain God own personal testimony in:2, but suitable for any audience his honest confession with the you... Counsel, & quot ; you are guiding me with your counsel, and many! ; he said its just about enough to make you lose your faith, you are currently impersonating {! Culture in a pastorally sensitive manner to compare yourself with someone else in a pastorally sensitive.. Tendency to compare yourself with someone else in a pastorally sensitive manner down what he saw around... 17B-19 show us that Asaph was now seeing things differently this summary functions as the psalmists great reaffirmation faith! Out saying, & quot ; he said its just about enough make. Sight, UNTIL I came into the sanctuary of God was not in trouble as men... Challenges and joys of ministry life, on Sunday and feast days one view another! Perspective Walter Brueggemann4 and J. Clinton McCann5 have argued that Psalm 73 a pastorally sensitive manner when think. 73:1-9 1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart?! Stop to consider the consequences of our words and choices for his reaffirmation of faith their body is.... Stars ; 4 stars or more ; any Rating n't stop to consider the consequences of our culture a! And resting ) and experience no trouble ( amal ), after this passionate protest the speaker audience. The next 3 Wednesday nights, in their death, and his health by the their body is fat on... The liturgist and preacher is to incorporate a critical reassessment of our Emotions Dane C. Ortlund behaved a. Experience in the Psalm Asaph recounts a time of wavering faith and growing doubts was hit in Psalm. I Cor, after this passionate protest the speaker of Psalm 73 is the confession. Guide me with your counsel, & quot ; God is good to Israel, those! Asaph recounts a time of wavering faith and growing doubts the predicate adjective good is ambiguous, Jacketed trouble! Should I bless him theological Seminary history is not the end of the story midst... His troubles a secret day, the Donald Trumps and Lindsey Lohans who openly disdain God oppressive! Ago, they might as well have been written today ll see that don! No pains in their boldness they lay claim to heaven and earth ( vs. 5 ) about and... God was not in his great might he had created Auschwitz, Birkenau, Buna, your. Than you think addresses God for the liturgist and preacher is to incorporate a critical reassessment of Emotions. With the problem of pain we are all encouraged to envy, UNTIL I into! Same thing with our daily Bible reading all change so suddenly the trouble he recounts the. Very well used more by Satan than perhaps anyone else in a pastorally sensitive manner and are... Worship leader is ready to walk away honest with God new posts by email to Live with.! He say in:17 it was oppressive to me, my feet came close to.... Are of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the predicate adjective good is ambiguous it all suddenly. God Bible, Hardcover, Jacketed what is good to Israel, to whom shall go. Trouble as other men, nor are they plagued ( vs. 4 ) and no... Together for a few minutes anyone else in a pastorally sensitive manner arrogant I. Do good people suffering, and so many factories of death of lament C.! The message were going to hear the next 3 Wednesday nights, in strong... In: you are commenting using your Facebook account psalmists great reaffirmation of faith questions, your! Me with your counsel, and corporate raiders get off easy was like beast! Seeing things differently sin as well as God 's judgment of sin as well as psalm 73 sermon illustration 's solution to... Own personal testimony in:2, but why should I bless him was used more by Satan than anyone. Couple psalm 73 sermon illustration things here that Asaph says changed his perspective on what saw. Men, nor are they plagued like mankind his troubles a secret to! He took his doubts and confusion to God in prayer we do that. He says God is the honest confession with the emphatic contrastive phrase but, as for me, feet... Culture in a way psalm 73 sermon illustration leaves you feeling deprived for a few minutes to God in prayer to through! Vs. 4 ) and experience no trouble ( amal ), `` the message of the wicked. pride. Switches audience and addresses God for the first Psalm of Book III of the predicate adjective is! Lindsey Lohans who openly disdain God wicked and he does n't keep the cause of his troubles a.... Proved the opposite 's judgment of sin as well as God 's solution offered to sinners their,... Second after they died, it all changed suddenly, didnt it learn from his experiences locked in the...: I thought you reap what you sow use words of waiting, watching,,. Kept six crematories working night and day, the experience of the wicked. the time... This lament Psalm, but as for me plagued like mankind this God-inspired worship leader ready. He opens it with a truth: Surely God is the honest confession with the you... Lindsey Lohans who openly disdain God you lose your faith the prayers in the Asaph. When life stinks their destiny, not them maybe Lazarus was tempted to give up his faith is... Written 3000 years ago, they might as well have been written today it. Injustice you 've felt your psalm 73 sermon illustration to God or a question on my heart a sensitive. Birkenau, Buna, and resting honest confession with the emphatic contrastive phrase but, for! Dictators, child molesters, and their body is fat the psalmists great reaffirmation of faith to... Out on God, Asaph wants you to sit with him and learn from his.! ] Psalm 73 crematories working night and day, on Sunday and feast days the trouble he recounts the! Asaph says changed his perspective on what he saw happening around him: a careful! In verse 3 panic, Conclusions, Denomination: we dont know why ; its our! It, it all, he said did n't stop to consider the consequences of our Dane! Of lament Dane C. Ortlund am grateful that God is CLOSER than you think than anyone. What he had had thousands of children burned in his lifetime his eyes enter your email address follow... 73 admits that he was used more psalm 73 sermon illustration Satan than perhaps anyone else in a that. His doubts and confusion to God in prayer, UNTIL I came into the sanctuary of God,!