Prophet’s Reading Plan: Jeremiah 51-52
Wisdom
Read: Psalm 73
This
Psalm was written by Asaph. The theme is still a question that many Christians
find hard to answer – why do the wicked prosper and the godly suffer? The writer admits that he is envious of the prosperity
of the wicked (verse 3). Do you ever
wonder if living an obedient and holy life is worth the discipline and effort
when you see those who reject and mock God succeeding? It is hard to watch people who lie, cheat and
steal live in luxury when your personal uprightness causes you to suffer
financial loss. After concluding that the
wicked seem free of troubles (verses 4-12), Asaph starts to feel some inner
turmoil (verses 13-15). He questions why
he has kept his heart clean and why he is rebuked every morning despite his
upright life. He almost concludes that
it is futile to live a godly life. His
conclusions change when he refocuses on God and sees that the wicked are headed
for judgment (vs. 17-20). He confesses
his own ignorance (vs. 22) and recognizes that even the most successful people,
no matter what they accomplished, forfeit all of it if they die without Christ
as their Savior. It was then that he
sees and values the relationship that he has with God. How God guides him (vs. 24) and the other
rewards of faithfulness. The godly are
not neglected, they are continually with God, being led by the tender Shepherd
and directed by the Spirit of God. His
conclusion (vs. 27-28) is that those who are far from God perish and those who
trust in Him are saved therefore he calls us to trust in the Lord.
Overview:
Verses 1-3: Envying the wicked
Verses 4-12: The wicked seem free of troubles
Verses 13-15: Inner turmoil over
this dilemma
Verses 16-17: The answer to the
dilemma
Verses 18-20: The wicked will
ultimately be destroyed
Verses 21-28:
Renewing his allegiance to God
PRAYER
& MEDITATION
1.
In
what ways do you struggle with the same question that Asaph struggled with in
this Psalm?
2. What
does this Psalm teach us about the importance of focusing on God and the
eternal consequences of sin?
3. Ask
the Lord to grow in you a deeper fear of the Lord so that you would desire to
flee from sin and walk in holiness.
