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.
