7 Minute Read
Be Still
To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a couple of minutes to breathe deeply, to quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, prayerfully ask the Lord to speak to you in this time and let Him know that you will be listening and will make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.
Today’s Bible Reading:
Isaiah 62:6–65:25
Philippians 2:19–3:4
Psalm 73:1-28
Proverbs 24:13-14
Listen to the Lord
Slowly and reflectively read the following verses and listen to what God will say to you through them. Then, consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.
Psalm 73:1-3 (NLT): “Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure. But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.”
Reflections from Scripture:
I love the book of Psalms!
The authors didn’t pretend that they had it all together. Instead, they were honest about what they were feeling. And this allows the reader to feel validated, understood, like a fellow traveler.
But, the true worshipper of God will not want to stay there. Instead, they will allow this knowledge of their heart to move them closer to the Lord.
As we look at the words of Psalm 73:1-3, we hear the Psalmist saying that he readily acknowledged that God was (is) good.
But then he exposed a flaw in his own heart as he looked around him at the people who refused to submit to the Lord or His commands. The Psalmist realized that they were doing just fine. There seemed to be no imminent judgment – which made it seem that an injustice was taking place.
After all, shouldn’t those who love and obey the Lord always prosper? And shouldn’t those to hate (or at least neglect) the Lord and His commands always fail?
But that’s not how life works. If we believe it does, then we will “almost (lose our) footing,” and our “feet were slipping, and (we were) almost gone.” We might begin to doubt God’s goodness, or His power, or His love for His children.
So, how is a Jesus-follower to think about this? How are we to think about it when someone who genuinely loves and obeys the Lord experiences tragedy in their life? Or how are we to think about it when those who reject the Lord’s authority over their life seem to do quite well in life without any hint of God’s discipline or judgment?
The simple answer is this: realize that we aren’t home yet.
Realize that we serve a God who loves justice, but He doesn’t always make things right here on earth. Acts 17:31 says that God “has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.” It is on that future date that God will finally and ultimately make things right. But that day hasn’t come yet.
So, this day, live with the conviction of God’s goodness. But allow the injustices that take place to cause you to long for the day you will arrive in your eternal home – because you aren’t home yet.
Spend Time in Prayer
Lord Jesus, things don’t always seem fair here on earth. I could easily get upset and even grow angry and bitter at how bad people go unpunished while good people experience difficulties. But keep me mindful that You will one day make things right. And help me to remember that I’m not home yet. I pray this in Your Name, Amen.
Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com). His latest book is God’s Grace in the Real World. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
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