11/11/2015 A Basic Truth For Gods People God is good all the time! - PDF document

11/11/2015 A Basic Truth For God’s People God is good all the time! All the time, God is good! Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart . Psalm 73:1, NIV A Crisis Of Faith While walking with God, Asaph's doubting heart had unsettled his footing! But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold . Psalm 73:2, NIV 1

11/11/2015 Why This Song Writer Stumbled He observed the bad guys living "the good life"! For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills…This is what the wicked are like—always free of care, they go on amassing wealth. Psalm 73:3-5 & 12, NIV Why This Song Writer Stumbled He observed the bad guys flouting his good God! They wear pride as a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others. They boast against the very heavens and their words strut throughout the earth… “ What does God know? ” they ask. “ Does the Most High even know what's happening? ” Psalm 73:6, 8-9 & 11, NLT A Self-Pity Party Asaph is discouraged by the unfairness of life—but finds his self-pity pitiful enough to keep it between him and God Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain. If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people. Psalm 73:13-15 , NLT 2

11/11/2015 The Turning Point The Psalmist regains proper perspective—God's perspective! When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God… Psalm 73:16-17, NIV When we "enter the sanctuary of God" our heart and mind enter eternity! The Long Ranger! When we look way up, we can look far ahead. God enables us to see life in the long run! When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. Psalm 73:16-17 , NIV Worship corrects near-sightedness! “Their Final Destiny”  The wicked are living on a " slippery slope. " Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction…Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. (v.18 & 27, NIV ) 3

11/11/2015 “Their Final Destiny”  The wicked are living on a " slippery slope. " Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction…Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. (v.18 & 27, NIV )  The wicked are living in "fantasyland." They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies…The Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming. (v . 20 & 37:13, NIV ) Refocused! Asaph's near-sightedness is gone! He now clearly sees that…  God's people remain in the grip of his grace! But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold… When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel… (v.2 & 21-24, NIV) Refocused! Asaph's near-sightedness is gone! He now clearly sees that…  God's people remain in the grip of his grace! But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold… When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel… (v.2 & 21-24, NIV)  Life is unfair—only temporarily! …and afterwards you will take me to glory. (v . 24, NIV) 4

11/11/2015 The World is Not Enough! God is better than anything this present world has to offer. Nothing compares to what's waiting for us up ahead! Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:25-26, NIV Solid Footing…Steady Walk The greater our nearness to God, the less we are affected by the temporary unfairness of life. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds. Psalm 73:28, NIV 5