## A Common Problem

## Psalm 73:1-28

The author of this psalm is Asaph. He was an outstanding musician in the time of King David. He was appointed to be the minister of music in the Temple according to I Chronicles 16:5. This psalm was written as the conclusion of his thoughts during a serious trial. He, along with some of the greatest saints in the Bible, was struggling to understand God and what He was doing in their lives and in the world. There are several questions that Asaph sought the answers for.

Why is there evil In the world?

Why do bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people?

Is it really worth it to be a believer?

This is a common problem, and perhaps we have asked some of those same questions or pondered on what the answers might be. Asaph didn't find the answer with an immediate step of faith; he gained victory by degrees. As we look at these steps that he took, maybe we can gain an understanding of the problem and discover the solution.

I. He Looked Back. v1-2

A. An affirmation of faith.

1. He looked back on the history of Israel and declared that God is good!

2. Not only is He good to Israel, but to all that are of a pure and clean heart.

3. He was not an atheist or an agnostic: because it was his faith that created the problem anyway.

4. For those who eliminate God from their lives do not worry about the problem of evil; to them it is just a byproduct of man's evolutionary quest for perfection.

B. The problem he saw.

1. He was a faithful Jew, obedient to the Law; and he bad a pure heart and clean hands.

2. But he was not enjoying the goodness of God in his life.

3. His godless neighbors were in better shape materially and physically than he was.

4. Now what should he do? Was he mistaken in his theology? Was there something wrong with his life that he couldn't see?

5. How was he going to escape this dilemma?

II. He Looked Around. v3-12

A. He was slipping, he found himself envious of them.

1. He was envious of their prosperity. (3-5)

a. he felt that they didn't have the pains and struggles that the godly experience.

b. they were well-fed and well-housed.

c. they were successful in this world, and even enjoyed good health while the godly suffered.

2. He was upset because of their pride. (6-9)

a. he felt that they should at least acknowledge God's goodness, but they took all the glory and gave God no credit.

b. they wore their pride like a golden chain for everyone to see.

c. they boasted that they had more than their heart could wish, yet they didn't share any of it with their needy neighbors.

3. He was envious of their popularity. (10-12)

a. the world worships these successful people and runs after them.

b. the worldly crowd that worships success and wealth can hardly wait for news about their idols.

c. God is left entirely out of the picture-they say, 'How does God know?' and 'Is there knowledge in the most High?'

d. after all, they argue that they have no need of God, because of their prosperity without His help.

B. What was the answer?

1. How could he answer people with that kind of attitude?

2. How do you witness to a world that sees the godly suffer while the ungodly succeed and prosper?

III. He Looked Within. v13-15

A. Asaph does some self-examination.

1. He considers his pure life of obedience to God and begins to question whether or not it is worth it.

2. His immediate conclusion is that he has made a big mistake by trusting God.

3. The wicked were prospering while he was being plagued ... the wicked were waking every morning to comfort while he was being chastened.

B. He was struggling inwardly.

1. These feelings were real that he had.

2. He could have piously pretended to be living a victorious life, but then he would have been a hypocrite!

3. He could not turn his back on the Truth and abandon his faith in God.

4. He couldn't even discuss his feelings with other believers for fear of causing them to stumble.

C. He was at a critical crossroads.

1. He had looked back and declared his faith in God and that God is good.

2. He had looked around and became envious of the wicked's prosperity.

3. He had looked within and found unrest and turmoil along with a growing feeling that he had made a mistake in trusting and obeying God.

4. Now what will he do?

a. abandon his faith and run with the worldly crowd

b. hold to his faith and pretend that nothing is wrong while he deteriorates spiritually

c. or turn to God for the answers ... fortunately for him, he made the right choice.

IV. He Looked Up. v16-22

A. He went to the temple of God and presented his case. v16

1. As valuable as theology is, it can never substitute for personal fellowship with God.

2. No matter what we see in life, we must evaluate it with God's help.

3. When we walk by sight, all we can see are the price tags of life ... when we walk by faith, we discover the values!

4. Our outlook determines the outcome.

a. if we have a worldly outlook on life we will make incorrect evaluations and wrong decisions.

b. we need to take time to contemplate God, to meditate on His truth, and to express our praise to Him

c. we need to worship God ... worship helps give us vision and perspective in life ... it helps us weigh matters and choose the things that are of eternal value.

B. Asaph's visit to the sanctuary was a benefit to him.

1. It sharpened his vision: he saw the truth about the prosperity of the wicked. v17-20

2. It also gave him some new insight into his own heart and mind. (21-22)

V. He Looked Ahead. v23-28

A. Now he is able to evaluate time in the light of eternity. (23-24)

1. His present: 'I am continually with Thee'

2. His past: 'Thou hast held me by my right hand'

3. His future: 'Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel and afterward receive me to glory'

B. He is able to evaluate earth in the light of heaven. (25-26)

1. Earlier he had looked at the ungodly people and viewed them as having everything. v7

2. Now he reverses that conclusion: because he has God, he has everything!

3. To be heavenly minded is to view the earth from heaven's point of view. ex. Moses when he turned his back on the pleasures of Egypt.

(HEBREWS 11:24-28) BY FAITH MOSES, WHEN HE WAS COME TO YEARS, REFUSED TO BE CALLED THE SON OF PHARAOH'S DAUGHTER; CHOOSING RATHER TO SUFFER AFFLICTION WITH THE PEOPLE OF GOD, THAN TO ENJOY THE PLEASURES OF SIN FOR A SEASON; ESTEEMING THE REPROACH OF CHRIST GREATER RICHES THAN THE TREASURES IN EGYPT: FOR HE HAD RESPECT UNTO THE RECOMPENCE OF THE REWARD. BY FAITH HE FORSOOK EGYPT, NOT FEARING THE WRATH OF THE KING: FOR HE ENDURED, AS SEEING HIM WHO IS INVISIBLE. THROUGH FAITH HE KEPT THE PASSOVER, AND THE SPRINKLING OF BLOOD, LEST HE THAT DESTROYED THE FIRSTBORN SHOULD TOUCH THEM.

4. To be earthly minded is to view heaven from earth's point of view. ex. Lot when he turned away from Abraham's quest for the city of God and chose the cities of the world.

(GENESIS 13:11-12) THEN LOT CHOSE HIM ALL THE PLAIN OF JORDAN; AND LOT JOURNEYED EAST: AND THEY SEPARATED THEMSELVES THE ONE FROM THE OTHER. ABRAM DWELLED IN THE LAND OF CANAAN, AND LOT DWELLED IN THE CITIES OF THE PLAIN, AND PITCHED HIS TENT TOWARD SODOM.

C. He is able to stand rather than slip. (27-28)

1. Having the right values are a matter of life and death!

2. Worldliness is spiritual adultery.

(JAMES 4:4) YE ADULTERERS AND ADULTERESSES, KNOW YE NOT THAT THE FRIENDSHIP OF THE WORLD IS ENMITY WITH GOD? WHOSOEVER THEREFORE WILL BE A FRIEND OF THE WORLD IS THE ENEMY OF GOD.

3. The end of his experience is a great contrast to the beginning.

a. he started off with his feet slipping, but he ends up standing firmly in the faith.

b. he almost admitted to his friends that his faith in God was a mistake,, but now he affirms that it was good for him to draw near to God.

c. instead of declaring his doubts and fears, now he ends up declaring God's wonderful works.

The situation did not change, but Asaph did! God wants us to trust Him whether we are experiencing blessings or in the midst of trials. He wants us to walk by faith and not by sight.

God's Word is true no matter what our circumstances might look like. Psalm 73 reminds us of the importance of spending time with God in worship and spiritual evaluation. We do not live by explanations: we live by promises, and God's promises become real to us as we grow in our relationship with Him.

Tonight the invitation goes out to all who may be struggling with doubts and questions about God's working in our lives.