Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 21

Introduction...

Day 21 Psalm 73:1-5,16-28 Grievances because of the wicked going well whereas the righteous being plagued
（Memorization Scripture: vv. 25-26）


1 Truly God is good to Israel,
To such as are pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
My steps had nearly slipped.
3 For I was envious of the boastful,
When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no pangs in their death,
But their strength is firm.
5 They are not in trouble as other men,
Nor are they plagued like other men.

16 When I thought how to understand this,
It was too painful for me—
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
Then I understood their end.
18 Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment!
They are utterly consumed with terrors.
20 As a dream when one awakes,
So, Lord, when You awake,
You shall despise their image.
21 Thus my heart was grieved,
And I was vexed in my mind.
22 I was so foolish and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You hold me by my right hand.
24 You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
26 My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish;
You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.
28 But it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,
That I may declare all Your works.


We often feel unfair that others did not receive what they deserve. This is especially true when we see how those who have done evil goes unpunished; these thoughts make our footsteps on the path of righteousness unsure. The author of this particular Psalm, Asaph, was suffering due to having these exact thoughts. That is, until he went into the sanctuary of God, and, in the light of God, he saw what he did not understand before - the end of the ungodly is truly terrible. He humbly came before God to admit his ignorance and foolishness. He realized that God is continually with him. God holds him by hand, guides him with counsel, and will receive him to glory. My God, whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Let me not carry grievance in my heart any longer. Let the ungodly receive their end! As for me, I will draw near to God; He is my refuge (NASB), and I will declare all His works. (NY)