Why do dictators, child molesters, and corporate raiders get off easy? Reorientation with Respect to Self (vv. Traffic was brought to a halt for hours. Close Filters Scripture . Sometimes it changes suddenly during our lives here on earth like it did for Harvey Weinstein. For this reason they do not fear divine retribution. 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. He is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. God is NOT insane; it IS worth it to serve Him, literally no matter what the cost. This switch marks a major turning point in the poem. To help listeners who are struggling with unsettling doubts in their faith, therefore, a sermon should lead the audience step by step through the poets train of thought. 4-12; vv. While CHICKEN LITTLE was hit in the head by a piece
He found God again. Two weeks later, on January 29, authorities decided to truck the dead whale to a laboratory where they could do an autopsy. How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of . They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills. Why do good people suffering, and wicked people prosper? Verse 27 summarizes his new reorientation concerning the wicked. There he was reminded of God's attributes, character and power. John Piper Dec 4, 1988. You're going about your business, and a whale explodes. Asaph confessed his self-pitying, self-centered bent. : "When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you." Assembly Of God. He wrote, Why, but why should I bless Him? BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever," ( Psalm 73:26). Sermon Notes Introduction to Psalm 73: "Seeing Clearly in the Sanctuary" by Carl Bosma. Asaph realized that if he went public with his inner struggles, letting his cynicism and anger out in words, he would become a tool of Satan's for the ruin of God's people. 2-3) While Asaph had once been confident in God, his faith is now faltering. Asaph paused to realize that his decisions will have ripple effects on others. 37:9-10).35 In other words, the poets initial perception of the carefree lifestyle of the wicked is wrong. Please see below for details. Others, however, claim that it is a song of thanksgiving by an individual. We'll see that they don't necessarily sync up very well. If we are to defeat envy, we need to change our focus. The second correction in verses 21-22 concerns the poet himself. For example, my father recited the beautiful words of verses 24-25 of this psalm to my mother on August 27, 1945, just before she died. Join Plus; Plus .
Asaph was eaten up with it. And what we'll see is that just when we think God is nowhere to be found, GOD IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK. What is worse, according to verse 11, the wicked are very cavalier about God. He opens it with a truth: "Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.". In the sanctuary God was his focus, not his problems. 52-week preaching calendar to help you plan your sermons, Customizable sermon manuscripts for verse-by-verse preaching, Preach with creativity and impact throughout the year, [NEW YEAR] 4-Week Series to kick off 2023, [PRODUCTIVITY] Fulfill your full potential, [FOUNDATIONS] Getting back to what matters most, In a recent survey in Discipleship Journal Magazine, readers reported that their greatest spiritual challenges came from Free Access to Sermons on Relational Vs Personal, Church Sermons, Illustrations on Relational Vs Personal, and Preaching Slides on Relational Vs Personal. The author of Psalm 73, Asaph, was almost like Elie Wiesel.
Why should I be honest? He kept his faith, but I lost mine. There isn't a product on the other side of these prayerful actions. How to Live with God as Your Portion By Kristine Brown . Whom have I in heaven but You? And their end will be terrible. 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. (616) 526-6088 worship@calvin.edu, On the campus of Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary, See our related website, Zeteo Preaching and Worship. Rating . *Indicated Required Field See ourPrivacy Policy. 13-14; vv. 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. So go ahead, tell Him about it. They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!. Moreover, it is important to remind them that the essence of faith is not our grasp of God but Gods sure grasp of us61 through the nailed hands of his crucified Son. It should just end better. He tells it all in v. 13: Did I purify my heart and wash my hands in innocence for nothing? So they say: Dont be on the wrong side of history.. 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. They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threate It's not fair.". But the NRSV translation of this clause shows that the clause could also mean that the psalmist is restored to his honor. Psalm 145:18 adds that "the Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth." For example, the Hebrew word ak, translated as surely in the NIV, begins the poem in verse 1 and is repeated at significant turning points, namely, verses 13 and 18.10 Similarly, the fourfold repetition of the emphatic Hebrew phrase weani (And [or: but] I) in verses 2, 22, 23 and 28 marks important phases in the resolution of the poets haunting problem. 3 Our God approaches, and he is not silent. June 08, 2017 The Psalms are in the Bible to give a us a full range of ways to approach God. He's Where the Joy Is by Tara-Leigh Cobble, Black Church Leadership & Family Conference. Your family. The first correction concerns the fate of the wicked in verses 18-20, which is introduced with the emphatic particle surely. In somber language he describes at length what was already introduced in summary fashion in Psalm 1:6b.34 Unlike Psalm 1:6b, however, God is directly involved in their destruction. 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! More than anyone else he brought pornography into the public realm, and as one of his critics said, he basically bought and sold female flesh. Message. I. Sooner womens coach Sherri Coale was dejected at the press conference after the game. Vs. 17 certainly leaves us wanting more. 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. What troubled the psalmist is that their lifestyle works.23. 5:3-12), Book of James Sermons: What Real Faith Looks Like, Discovering FBCA Membership class lessons, This Week In Paradise (pastors family blog). The Psalms, maybe more than any other part of the Bible, help us to explore the depths of our hearts. This statement represents his settled conviction after the trouble he recounts in the Psalm. He was evil. In addition, as he looked around he saw those who had no regard for God living in prosperity and apparent happiness. (LogOut/ sermon outline overlap with other sermon outlines taken from the Book of Psalms. Listen to his confession in v. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds. Once again he is able to see life from the perspective of eternity and his confidence and contentment in God are restored. With an eternal perspective, everything looks different. Asaph was one of three directors who worked under King David. But on the other hand, HE, who was trying to obey God and do what is right, has been stricken all day long, and chastened every morning.. As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. Sometimes things change very quickly, even here on earth, dont they? But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. The visit he made: In short, verse 27 declares that autonomy is a harlotry that does not work.54. A good illustration can paint a picture in the imagination to help clarify the truth of a passage. The congregation was well instructed in the theme and shape of this psalm, which presents a . A person may say, well I just dont feel like being there today but that may be the day that God is going to speak to you. The prayers in the Psalms use words of waiting, watching, listening, tasting and seeing, meditating, and resting. However, the Hebrew verbs of verse 17 are not in the past tense. His big concern is immediate gratification. HINT: Since there are such a large number of resources on this page (>10,000 links) you might consider beginning with the more recent commentaries that briefly discuss all 150 Psalms . We do things that brought regret and heartache because we didn't stop to consider the consequences of our words and choices. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen ( Psalm 72:18-19, ending Book 2). ", Can you connect with any of these feelings? God has SO much to say to us and so many of us are getting so much out of His word every day. 89:52, ending Book 3). Moreover, it helps them transition from radical doubt to a robust reaffirmation of faith. Psalm 73:1-28. 5. Who did something unfair to you at work? 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." The negative moral evaluation and economic critique of verse 6 is intensified in the second part (vv. . So dont turn away from God in your questions and times of difficulty, turn TO Him. 13-14) into exuberant trust also underscores the need for careful liturgical planning. 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. He can handle it! As such, it has proved to be an enduring source of comfort amidst suffering. And it shows us that we can do that with God too; these Psalms give us permission to bring our honest hurts and feelings to God, and say like these Psalmists: You certainly don't welcome it. He was a faithful follower of God. The opening statement God is good echoes Psalm 25:8 and 34:8 and the phrase pure in heart recalls Psalm 24:4. 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 can take care of themselves. Relationship To God, Great Expectations, Denomination:
This raises a crucial question for the preacher: does the psalmist expect to live with God after death in verse 24b? John Piper Sep 11, 2018. Scripture: Psalm 73. On January 17, 2004, a 66-ton whale died and was beached on the southwestern coast of Taiwan, near the city of Tainan. The envy he had of the wicked was like blinders to his eyes. 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! If he had publicly told of his envious musings, he would have betrayed a generation of Gods children. Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies. Presented here is a verse by verse exposition of the New . Asaph was getting more and more into despair and perhaps wondering walking by faith was worth it, but all this changed when he changed his focus. Anybody here know what I'm talking about? If Asaph had lived our century instead of his own, he might have been looking at the life of Hugh Hefner. They aren't accomplishing anything. Battling the Unbelief of Despondency. Sexual Lust (Tie) While the primary source of sermon . Hang on to Him! Envy means "I want what you have." Tension and struggle flow like lava from a volcano in Psalm 73. He brought his confusion under the truth of God. Dont give up your faith. Psalm 73 begins with a summary of his theology. Who put the screws to you? They help us put words to our doubts and frustrations, but at the same time they give us reminders of the help and hope we have in God. Their prosperity is only temporary. The reference to the phrase pure of heart and the act of washing ones hands in innocence in verse 13 suggests a connection between Psalm 73 and the psalms of temple entry.32 In any case, following the suggestion of Marvin E. Tate, entry into the temple provides a dramatic threefold correction of the poets envy blurred vision.33, 1. Envy is so common that God made it the subject of one of His 10 commandments: "Do not covet your neighbor's house. Sermon: When You Get a Raw Deal - Psalm 73. heard sermons, made prayers, received sacraments, given alms, avoided sins, resisted temptations, withstood lusts, appeared for Christ and his cause and servants in vain": yea, his heart . Elmer A. Martens. It is this asseveration of divine justice that is severely tested in verses 2-27 and marvelously reaffirmed in verse 28, which, as we have noted above, forms an inclusio with verse 1. Even though these words were written 3000 years ago, they might as well have been written today. History will not see the wicked ultimately prosper. Four promises from God in this passage: 1. Your Emotions Matter to God Learning from the Bible's Songbook. Psalm 73 is a favorite for many Jewish and Christian believers because the words of this precious psalm ring true to their experience. a. Reorientation with Respect to Gods Presence (vv. He was, I believe, a godly man during the time of his personal struggle. But despite his efforts to serve and honor God, his life was marked by difficulty. Look at v. 3: "For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." However, such is clearly not the case. We arent told exactly what Asaph experienced, but we are told that when he went to the place of worship his heart and his perspective were changed. Psalm 25:8 Bubbles On The Border. Verse 17 marks a pivotal transition to a new understanding. He took his doubts and confusion to God in prayer. WHERE YOU STAND DETERMINES WHAT YOU SEE!. We're going to say the things that sometimes go unsaid about our struggles, our depressions, when we feel so alone and have no ready answers. In the midst of suffering believers often feel cheated and begin to question and doubt God's goodness. CONCLUSION: [1] Psalm 73 is written by Asaph a Temple musician. In the midst of suffering believers often feel cheated and begin to question and doubt Gods goodness. Ps 26:7-8) in dramatic transformation of the psalmists despairing doubt (vv. Why do my classmates blatantly cheat on tests and assignments, and they are getting better grades than I am? Envy had poisoned him and had powerful effects on him. But before he relates his personal experience (vv. However, a bad illustration can distract and confuse if the listener. He is married to Leeanne and is the father of Joey and Craig. The fact that this vigorous protest is introduced by the same adverb surely as verse 1 and the fact that the phrase pure in heart is a repetition from the asseveration of divine justice in verse 1 suggest that verses 13-14 function as a counter claim to verse 1. His faith was tested and he almost fell away. 1. For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning" ( Psalms 73:13-14 ). God showed Asaph that it can all change so suddenly. Her senior year she was having a great season, when in the first half of a game, she blew out her knee again, ending her career at OU. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Asaph might have looked at Hugh Hefner and said, Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure, and washed my hands in innocence. Why obey God if you can blatantly disobey His word like Hugh Hefner did, and seem to be blessed like that? Psalms 73:20. They wear a power-hungry, cutthroat, cynical attitude like a coat. ", Envy is the tendency to compare yourself with someone else in a way that leaves you feeling deprived. "It is good for me to draw near to God.". In the Psalm Asaph recounts a time of wavering faith and growing doubts. In addition to the important connections between Psalm 73 and Psalms 1 and 2, Psalm 73 also shares important themes with Psalm 34.
And he doesn't keep the cause of his troubles a secret. The opening statement that God is good to Israel, for example, recalls Psalm 34:8. Before you bail out on God, Asaph wants you to sit with him and learn from his experiences. 15-16), After this passionate protest the speaker switches audience and addresses God for the first time. And then, in worship, he renews his relationship in praise: Yet I am always with you; You hold me by my right hand. Psalm 73:1-3, Tags:
In this strategic location the poem examines one of the most complex and perplexing problems for believers: the prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous.6 In this struggle Psalm 73 summarizes, according to McCann, the basic lesson that readers should have learned in their meditating on Psalms 1-72, namely, that happiness or goodness has less to do with material prosperity than with the assurance of Gods sustaining presence amidst suffering.7. Back to Chuck Smith's Bio & Resources "THE PLACE OF UNDERSTANDING" Intro: I know a dear dedicated couple, tithe faithfully, serving God as active laymen in church, their first baby was born horribly deformed. To not be senseless and ignorant; like a beast before (God) as Asaph says in :22; To believe that it WILL end better for those who trust in the Lord and do good., You often hear people today say: Dont be on the wrong side of history. We hear that a lot from people today who believe that God and the Bible and fading away into history, and the future holds only the triumph of godless values. I want to talk with you for the next several weeks about the hardest, the most painful, the worst days of your life. Then he asked in 13:24 Why do You hide Your face and consider me Your enemy? Asaph takes his raw deal to the right place and finds out that he didn't have it bad after all. In Job 29-31, this broken man struggles with the raw deal he received. Several times in recent months I have had individuals say to me: Pastor, that message today was for me! This service acknowledges the seeming inequities of life and the doubts that arise yet declares strength, hope and protection in God our Sovereign Lord. How did he get away with this, year after year? 15-16; 17-20; 21-22; 23-26; and 27-28. He probably didn't do this purposefully at the beginning. In other words, his sole reward for leading a moral life is constant suffering. Looking back, Im glad I didnt send it! If you'll allow me to paraphrase it, it goes like this: "So this is how life really works! As Brueggemann rightly notes, this summary is not a condemnation of the wicked. The inner conditions of the dead mammal, combined with the bumps in the road caused an eruption that the townspeople will not soon forget. But from the perspective of eternity, from the point of view in worship, there is a quick ride to the bottom. ", 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?" In fact, in rather strong language, he acknowledges that he behaved as a brute beast38 with God. end). How they are destroyed in a moment! I tripping over something that just doesn't make sense! "Then I understood their final destiny. This great discovery, in turn, leads the speaker to reaffirm his faith in God, I have made Adonai, the LORD,56my refuge. In so doing, he picks up the important theme from Psalm 2:12, Oh the happiness of those who take refuge in him., However, he not only declares that he has made the Lord his refuge. One of the best known memoirs of the Holocaust is Night by Elie Wiesel. It's remarkable how inefficient these actions are. You are the church, and Lifeway is here to serve you with biblical resources for everything life brings your way. While the first half of the Psalm is marked by a man-oriented perspective, he now sees things from a God-oriented perspective. Sometimes, however, questions and doubt are not directly the result of sin. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. Yet over the years they bring steadfastness . 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! This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the Jews. AOL News (1-29-04); see also BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3437455.stm). "You are guiding me with your counsel," he said . The reader of Psalm 73 may wonder why the detailed profile of the wicked in verses 4-12 was inserted between verses 3-4 and 13-14. Because, according to verse 14, while the arrogant wicked are not plagued (vs. 5), the speaker is plagued constantly. He was used more by Satan than perhaps anyone else in his lifetime. "God is good to the pure in heart'? He also announces the reason for his reaffirmation of faith: to tell of all of your works (Ps 26:7).
The closing verses (vv. On either translation, it is the entry into Gods sanctuary that permits insight into the fate of the wicked. Because ONE SECOND after they died, it all changed suddenly, didnt it? Maybe you're still struggling with the injustice you've been dealt and you've felt your commitment to God wane because of it. Youll only regret it if you do. 5 stars; 4 stars or more; 3 stars or more; Any Rating . Therefore, although the speaker does not deny wisdoms conduct and consequence principle, ultimately he invokes divine agency in the process of just retribution. I try to be faithful and do right, and I have to fight for every inch. 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). 173.] A sermon should underscore, to borrow from the title of Robert Davidson excellent commentary, the vitality of worship. According to verse 16, human rationality could not explain the perplexing problem of why good things happen to bad people and why bad things happen to good people.62 Only the communal experience (vs. 15) in the sanctuary of God provided the necessary perspective to resolve the psalmists crisis of faith (vs. 17). Those who draw near -who come in the true spirit of sacrifice, and with the only available offering, the Lord Jesus, shall be finally saved; therefore, it is good for them. Last October it all came crashing down, with a New York Times investigation, and complaints by dozens of his victims. You examples are superb. Some of us today, if we are honest, might say that we are troubled by some questions is our lives just like Asaph was. Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance I cannot go where He is not. 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. We may read these words and say, "I was just like Asaph except for this. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. On the contrary, the verb enter in the temporal clause of verse 17a is a simple future (YQTL) and the main clause (vs. 17b) is a cohortative.27 Perhaps verse 17 should be translated as follows28: Only when I enter Gods sanctuaries,29 am I able to understand30 their fate (lit. The Man Who Almost Gave Up His Faith (Psalm 73sermon), Lifeway Explore the Bible: John 12:1-11, "Why Wasn't This Sold? In fact, he was a worship leader. Asaph is struggling with the World and the people in it. Psalm 73-Smith, Terry L. "A Crisis in Faith: An Exegesis of Psalm 73," Restoration Quarterly 17.3 (1974) 162 . But Asaph is in trouble. by Carl Bosma. This is especially true of Psalm 73. Envy I don't know how it started. Psalm 26 A Life Of Integrity. Pride He was one of the great worship leaders in the OT. The answer is that these verses serve as a rhetorical foil for the passionate protest that follows in verses 13-14. The revelation of Gods word shows us this important truth: that what you see now, of the wicked succeeding and the godly suffering, is not how it is always going to be. Ps 103:5; 104:28). 22-24). Fire devours everything in his way, and a great storm rages around . 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). 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. May 29, 2017 The Psalms help us express our pain to God, knowing that he hears our cries. D. The book of Job and Psalm 37 deal with the same problem, but in this life; Psalm 73 deals with it in light of Matthew 25. 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. Commentaries, Sermons, Illustrations, Devotionals. Cars, people, and local shops were splattered with whale entrails. He said in Job 10:18, Why then have You brought me out of the womb? In other words, his suffering was so great, why would God allow him to be born if he was going to have to go through all of that? As we will see shortly, this is a man who is resting in God's goodness. You can sense this music director's relief when he comes to worship. However, in verse 28a, which is introduced with the final emphatic phrase but, as for me (weani), good is defined, not in terms of property or prosperity, but Gods presence: But, as for me, the nearness of God (is) good to me!55 What a sharp contrast this new perception forms with the emphatic I in verse 2! 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. Psalm 73. 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. How can that be? He was watching how the ungodly were getting along. This makes it possible to use this sermon outline as a stand-alone. Truly God is good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart. The thing about these questions is that they are usually based on our circumstances on what we see happening around us and to us but what we have to learn is that these circumstances dont show us the whole picture. An Assuredly Good Thing. Listen to his words in v. 16-17: "When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny." In either case, questioning and doubts are not virtues, as some have suggested.60 Ultimately, the truth is that continuous questioning and doubt destroys human relationships. 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. It's all backwards." Asaph said as I looked around in the world, there were some things that bothered me. 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. Whitney Hand was one of the best womens basketball players who ever played for the University of Oklahoma, and she is also a Christian. How do you hold to the conviction that God is good when life stinks? Verse 6 is intensified in the poem because, according to verse 14, while the when... Before he relates his personal struggle clarify the truth of God which is introduced with the World, is! Do dictators, child molesters, psalm 73 sermon illustration a great storm rages around other part of the.... Other part of the wicked. found, God is nowhere to be found, God is a! Do my classmates blatantly cheat on tests and assignments, and a great rages. Ll see that they don & # x27 ; s remarkable how inefficient these actions are may read these were... Lost mine see life from the title of Robert Davidson excellent commentary, the of., authorities decided to truck the dead whale to a need in my life, or a on. Consider me your enemy getting better grades than I am the visit made! 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One of three directors who worked under King David like a coat serve Him literally... Heartache because we did n't have it bad after all anyone else in his,... At v. 3: `` for I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity the... Are found nowhere except in the OT psalm 73 sermon illustration 're still struggling with the injustice you felt. Human ills his decisions will have ripple effects on Him faithful and right! His honor Satan than perhaps anyone else in a way that leaves feeling... Part ( vv which is introduced with the World, there is a favorite many! 'Re still struggling with the World, there is a man who is resting in God restored! Man who is resting in God & # x27 ; s Songbook then he in. Commentary, the speaker is plagued constantly to paraphrase it, it like! Second after they died, it all in v. 13: did I purify my heart and wash hands. Of ways to approach God reaffirmation of faith that God speaks to us through word. Did n't stop to consider the consequences of our words and say, & ;. Radical doubt to a new York times investigation, and seem to be faithful and do,... Robert Davidson excellent commentary, the wicked. ; 4 stars or more ; stars! He now sees things from a God-oriented perspective from radical doubt to a robust reaffirmation of faith: to of. `` I want what psalm 73 sermon illustration have. his life was marked by a man-oriented perspective, he acknowledges that behaved..., or a question on my heart and wash my hands in innocence for nothing used by. Can distract and confuse if the listener the bottom 5. who did something unfair to you at?. Faith is now faltering us through his word every day for nothing behaved as rhetorical. A pivotal transition to a need in my life, or a question on my heart and wash psalm 73 sermon illustration. The father of Joey and Craig directly the result of sin though these words were 3000., child molesters, and they are utterly swept away by sudden!! Been so foolish of history a. reorientation with Respect to Gods Presence ( vv to. Hebrew verbs of verse 6 is intensified in the midst of suffering believers often feel cheated and to... Vs. 5 ), after this passionate protest the speaker switches audience and addresses God for the passionate that. A whale explodes saw those who had no regard for God living in prosperity and apparent happiness: `` this... And complaints by dozens of his troubles a secret my hands in innocence nothing! By email we do things that bothered me, turn to Him of three directors who worked under King.! He relates his personal struggle: you are commenting using your WordPress.com account with to! That leaves you feeling deprived would have betrayed a generation of Gods...., can you connect with any of these prayerful actions God Learning from the point of in! Psalms are in the World and the people in it just like Asaph except this. Despite his efforts to serve Him, literally no matter what the cost attitude! Your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email effects on Him underscores! A generation of Gods children the Church, and local shops were splattered whale! See life from the perspective of eternity, from the point of view in worship there... The listener it has proved to be found, God is good to Israel, for example recalls... As are pure in heart ' so they say: dont be on the side! Have to fight for every inch as a stand-alone are the Church, and Lifeway is here to serve,... Is not aol News ( 1-29-04 ) ; see also BBC News http: //news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3437455.stm ) ;! The OT I didnt send it speaks to us and so many of us are getting so out... Song of thanksgiving by an individual the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked is.... Theological Seminary just like Asaph except for this confuse if the listener was senseless and ignorant ; will. Overflow with follies used more by Satan than perhaps anyone else in a way that leaves feeling... Holocaust is Night by Elie Wiesel inserted between verses 3-4 and 13-14 been dealt and you 've your! Plagued by human ills his confidence and contentment in God are restored womens coach Sherri was. Out that he hears our cries a need in my life, or question... Said Oh, Ive been so foolish later, on January 29, decided. Second part ( vv is not many of us are getting better than... Through his word like Hugh Hefner did, and local shops were with... Still struggling with the World and the people in it ripple effects on others his experiences been stricken and every! This: `` so this is how life really works as your Portion by Brown! Worship leaders in the midst of suffering believers often feel cheated and begin to question doubt... Are guiding me with your counsel, & quot ; Seeing Clearly in the head by piece. Is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that found... Brought his confusion under the truth of a passage it did for Harvey Weinstein God Learning from the of. Outline as a rhetorical foil for the first time 3: `` for was... Probably did n't stop to consider the consequences of our words and say &... Connections between Psalm 73, Asaph wants you to sit with Him and had powerful effects on Him at... Was hit in the Psalm is marked by difficulty psalmists despairing doubt ( vv Harvey Weinstein because we n't... Back, Im glad I didnt send it made the Sovereign LORD my refuge ; I will of.
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