The Right Perspective

Consider with me these verses from Asaph in Psalm 73:

2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled,

   my steps had nearly slipped.

3 For I was envious of the arrogant

   when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

11 And they say, "How can God know?

   Is there knowledge in the Most High?"

12 Behold, these are the wicked;

   always at ease, they increase in riches.

13 All in vain have I kept my heart clean

   and washed my hands in innocence.

14 For all the day long I have been stricken

   and rebuked every morning.

 Have you ever heard the following quote?  “Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you respond”?

Here we see the Psalmist reacting to the wickedness that surrounded him with envy.  If we’re not careful, we’ll have the same knee-jerk response to our world.  Why is it that the “thugs” are celebrated on TV?  Why do those who lack respect for others receive “respect” in Hollywood?  Why is it that we see wickedness lauded “all the day long”? 

Thankfully, the solution to our errant response to today’s world is the same as it was for Asaph over three thousand years ago.  We find the solution in verse 17…

 16 But when I thought how to understand this,

   it seemed to me a wearisome task,

17 until I went into the sanctuary of God;

   then I discerned their end.

It is only when we come into close communion with God that our perspective on life and the wicked world around us can be corrected.  Entering the sanctuary of God doesn’t mean just sitting in your local church once a week (or more), but also worship and hearing the Word with other believers. This is a great place to start your “perspective perfecting”!  It also might happen as you spend time alone reading God’s word and praying.  Whichever way it happens, taking time to see things as God sees them will always be worth the time you invest. 

Recently I found out that some acquaintances in my field of work were asked to present their expertise at some big-time conferences.  I felt small and insignificant and I began to lament the fact that I hadn’t been asked to share my expertise.  My focus on self overpowered my ability to consider God and His goodness to me.  The next morning as I attempted to pray through one of my prayer lists, I balked when I came to this phrase, “Lord, thank you for putting me in a place of service where I can serve and be with You.”  God used my communion with Him to show me that speaking at conferences is only important if that’s what He has called me to.  The way for me to stay close to God is to continue answering His calling on my life, faithfully serving Him in the way that He desires, not the way that gets me the most pats on the back.

So if you find yourself longing to be “a success” like those in the world around you, remind yourself that God doesn’t see “success” as others do.  He is pleased with “a broken spirit” and “a broken and contrite heart” (Ps 51:17).  Commune with God and you will find like Asaph in verses 25 through 28 that pursuing what He is passionate about will “right” your perspective on the world around you. - js

25 Whom have I in heaven but you?

   And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

26 My flesh and my heart may fail,

   but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

 27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;

   you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.

28 But for me it is good to be near God;

   I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,

   that I may tell of all your works.