My Steps Had Nearly Slipped

But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Psalm 73:2-3

His steps had nearly slipped?!!  What would almost make this man of God walk away from religion?  Why would he say in his heart, “Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence”? (v. 13) The next verse tells us: “For all day long I have been plagued, and chastened every morning.”  He was walking faithfully before God, and things seemed to continually get worse for him!  In contrast, the wicked didn’t seem to have any problems at all.  Everything they did prospered!  This psalm of Asaph expresses the heart of an honest man.  If we would be truthful, we would not cast stones at him.  All of us at times have looked at those that have no respect for the things of the Lord yet seem to be doing so well, and we have said in our hearts, “That’s not fair!”  What do we need to do to overcome our pity party and quit murmuring against God?

1) We need to attend a church where the true Gospel is preached.
Nothing sets us on the right path better than the word of God.  Are you confused?  God’s word will make things clear!  “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Ps 119:105) Asaph said in v. 16-17, “When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me—until I went into the sanctuary of God…”   He went to church, and the message he heard made things clear!  In Heb 10:25, we are warned to make sure we’re not “forsaking the assembling of ourselves together”.  Does God say that because we need to improve our social skills?  Of course not!  Church isn’t about socialization!  (I’m afraid many don’t understand that!) The verse continues, “not forsaking…but exhorting one another”.  As we hear the word of God preached and encourage one another in that truth, we see things for what they truly are.

2) We need to understand how things will turn out for the wicked
When Asaph went into the sanctuary of God in v. 17, he says, “Then I understood their end.”  Remember the rich man and Lazarus the beggar?  Abraham’s response to the rich man’s plea in hell was, “in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.” (Lk 16:25) Would you trade eternal glory for brief earthly pleasure?  Moses had that choice before him, and he chose wisely, “choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.” (Heb 11:25-26) Asaph saw the end of those whose life was consumed with earthly pleasures: “Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.” (Ps 73:18-19)

3) We’ve got to remember what God’s children have in store for them
Instead of focusing on what we don’t have, we need to refresh ourselves in the knowledge of what is ours in Jesus Christ!  Asaph’s thoughts turn to this fact in v. 25-26: “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.”  If we have God, what else do we need?!!  No wonder the apostle said in 1 Tim 6:8: “And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.”  You have God as your portion, children!  Rejoice that you know Him and that He has promised to work all things together for your good! (Rom 8:28) If you are God’s child and you don’t possess earthly riches, then there’s only one reason for that fact.  They’re not the best thing for you!  Remember, it’s hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven! (Mt 19:23) Would you desire that which might keep you, your spouse, or your children out of heaven?  How foolish it is to envy the rich man!  His riches will not last; your riches are eternal.  Be content with where God has you, dear soul, remembering that “godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Tim 6:6)

If we find we have given in to the tempation to murmur against a righteous and holy God, we need to follow Asaph’s example.  We need to confess that sin and rejoice in all the blessings we have in Jesus Christ.  Listen to his confession and his hope in v. 21-24: “Thus my heart was grieved, and I was vexed in my mind.  I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.  Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.  You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.”  The truth is that God has been much better to us all than we deserve.  May we give Him the glory that is rightfully His!

Jamie

Leave a Reply