It is good to be near God

“Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” (Psalms 73:1-3 NIV)

How often are we like Asaph? We are trying to faithfully follow God, yet we see those around us who care nothing for God and they are prospering while we struggle. “It isn’t fair!” we often say. We feel we are penalised because we are trying to do what is right. The more we dwell on it the worse it seems.

“They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills. Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.” (Psalms 73:4-6)

We look at their lives and it seems they have no problems and not a care in the world. We imagine, as did Asaph, that they always have good health and no worries. Even though they are violent people they are proud of it – they boast in who they are able to take advantage of. It seems they are rewarded for their evil and sin. They talk big and people eat it up.

They may even claim to be serving God, to be faithful Christians, yet their lives tell a totally different story. But people believe them! I’ve heard Christians admit they were living a sinful life but they think either that God doesn’t know or that he will excuse them. Asaph saw this as well (v.7-11). It is easy to begin to think they are living a carefree life of sin and getting richer and richer (v.12) with no consequences. This begins to affect the way we think about our lives.

“Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments.” (Psalms 73:13-14)

We may begin to question ourselves: why am I trying to live such a good life when all I get is pain and suffering? Why are others doing so well and living a sinful life when I’m trying to live a godly life and I’m struggling? The problem, as Asaph discovered, is that we aren’t thinking right – we are only seeing what is here and now and not thinking about the future.

“When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies…Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. 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.” (Psalms 73:16-20,27-28)

When we are only thinking of our lives now it is easy to think we are disadvantaged when sinful people are prospering around us. It was when Asaph came into the presence of God that everything became clearer. He realised that those who are living sinful lives may be amassing wealth now, but their future isn’t a good one because they have not been faithful to God. Perhaps we won’t make a fortune in this life by following God but our life now is such a short time in comparison with eternity. If we aren’t following God now we will have nothing in eternity.

God is aware of how everyone is living. All will receive their just reward or punishment. As Asaph concluded: “But as for me, it is good to be near God.”

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Readings for next week: Psalms 73–82