A man was driving in the country one day and he saw an old man sitting on a fence rail watching the cars go by. Stopping to pass the time of day, the traveler said, “I never could stand living out here. You don’t see anything, and I’m sure you don’t travel like I do. I’m on the go all the time.”The old man on the fence looked down at the stranger and drawled, “I can’t see much difference in what I’m doing and what you’re doing. I sit on the fence and watch the autos go by and you sit in your auto and watch the fences go by. It’s just the way you look at things.”
Psalm 73:1-3
Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling, my steps had almost slipped.
3 For I was envious of the arrogant as I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Your perspective determines your outlook of life and the reality. Asaph the writer of psalm 73 is conflicted and his conflict has brought him close to stumbling. He has been taught that good is good to Israel, to those who re pure in heart yet when he looks around the arrogant and the wicked seem to prosper. It seems to be the exact opposite of what he has been taught.
Isn’t that the struggle many of us believers have today? We look around and the wicked seem to have the best things in life. They drive the best cars live in the best houses and through their wicked and corrupt ways they seem to prosper and acquire the best in life while those who are living a life of righteousness seem to struggle. No wonder many are being taken for a ride today with the struggle free gospel that is preached. The gospel that promises you a smooth ride in life filled with prosperity if only you will give this much.
Yes it does seem like the wicked is prospering and just like Asaph, many of have been tempted to stumble and follow after the way of the wicked so we can also enjoy prosperity but that is one perspective of the scenario. What is Gods perspective? Verse 17 says
Until I came into the sanctuary of God;
Then I understood [for I considered] their end.
God’s perspective is eternal and though it may seem to us that the wicked prosper, their perceived prosperity is only temporal.
Our encouragement is that we should look at things from an eternal perspective.
1 Corinthians 2:9 (AMP)
9 but just as it is written [in Scripture],
“Things which the eye has not seen and the ear has not heard,
And which have not entered the heart of man,
All that God has prepared for those who love Him [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, who obey Him, and who gratefully recognize the benefits that He has bestowed].”
By Pastor James Martin Okumu/Jam 316 Radio
