Psalms 73: Why Do The Wicked Thrive?

Hey guys, have you ever wrestled with tough questions about life? Like, why do some people seem to get away with everything while others, who are trying to do the right thing, struggle? That's exactly the problem that the author of Psalms 73 grapples with. This psalm is a raw, honest look at the human experience, dealing with the prosperity of the wicked and the seemingly unfair distribution of blessings. It's a journey of faith, doubt, and ultimately, finding peace in the presence of God. Let's dive in and explore what this powerful psalm has to teach us.

The Initial Struggle: Envy and Doubt

Initially, the psalmist, Asaph, is in a real funk. He's looking around and seeing the wicked thriving – they're healthy, wealthy, and seemingly carefree. They live lavish lifestyles, full of pride and arrogance, seemingly without a care in the world. He confesses his envy and begins to question God's justice. This opening section of Psalms 73 is a powerful expression of the turmoil that can brew within us when we compare ourselves to others, especially when we perceive that those who are blatantly disregarding moral principles are doing better than we are. Asaph is honest about his struggle, and he doesn't try to sugarcoat his feelings. He's frustrated and discouraged, and it's completely relatable. I mean, who hasn't felt this way at some point, right? We see the apparent success of people who seem to be cutting corners and living selfish lives, and we start to wonder if all our hard work and honesty are even worth it. The psalmist even admits that his feet had almost slipped. He was on the verge of losing his faith, and it’s a testament to the fact that even those closest to God can go through periods of intense doubt. He almost gave up, and this honesty is important because it shows us that it's okay to have these feelings. It is when these feelings take root in us, that we start to question God's plan and wonder why those who seem to defy all the rules are living a good life.

Asaph's internal conflict is further fueled by the seemingly effortless success of the wicked. They are not burdened by the challenges he faces. The psalmist feels as if he has been punished all the day long and chastened every morning. He contrasts their ease and comfort with his own struggles, and it's enough to make him bitter and question his own choices. He is not just looking at the things they are doing, he is looking at his own behavior. He is trying to live a life that honors God and yet, he is not seeing the same kind of success. The wicked are living it up, and Asaph is feeling like he is getting the short end of the stick. This is a common human experience. It is natural to feel envious when we see others succeeding, especially when we believe they haven't earned it. The psalmist's struggles remind us that it’s okay to be honest about these feelings. We don't have to pretend we have it all figured out, or that we are always happy and content. Admitting these feelings is the first step in working through them. These struggles are not a sign of weak faith; they are a sign of being human. They're a call to bring our fears and doubts to God, rather than pretending they don't exist.

He expresses that he almost stumbled. The allure of the wicked life, with its apparent ease and prosperity, was starting to wear him down. The psalmist was about to lose faith in God, even though he had been a faithful man. The struggles of life, and the seeming success of the ungodly, had pushed him to the edge. This is a crucial point in the psalm, a moment of crisis that forces him to re-evaluate his faith. This is when the heart begins to get bitter and envious. The psalmist is not saying that he fell completely, but that he almost did, and this is a moment where the psalmist's journey to faith is relatable. It reminds us that our faith is not always smooth sailing. There will be times when our faith is tested and challenged. This is a reminder that we are not immune to doubt and temptation. It’s okay to acknowledge those moments of struggle and seek a way through them.

The Turning Point: Entering the Sanctuary of God

So, what finally helped the psalmist get out of his funk? The answer is simple, but profound: he went to the sanctuary of God. This is a literal place – the temple, the dwelling place of God – but it also represents a spiritual state. Entering the sanctuary is about drawing closer to God, seeking His perspective, and finding solace in His presence. It's in this sacred space that the psalmist's understanding begins to shift. He starts to see things differently. Guys, this is where the real turning point comes in. He starts to understand the true end of the wicked.

In the sanctuary, the psalmist's perspective changes. He no longer focuses on the present prosperity of the wicked, but on their ultimate destiny. He realizes that their apparent success is temporary, like a fleeting dream. He sees that they are on slippery ground, about to be cast down. The psalmist begins to see the bigger picture, recognizing that the wicked are headed for destruction. It's a moment of clarity, where the illusions of the world fade away, and the truth of God's justice becomes apparent. He recognizes that their lives are like a dream. What seems so real and important in the moment will eventually vanish. The prosperity of the wicked is not something to be envied; it is a precarious state, destined for a fall. In the presence of God, the psalmist shifts his focus from the immediate to the eternal. He gains a deeper understanding of God's character and plan. It's a crucial reminder that our earthly perspective is often limited and that we need to seek God's guidance to understand the bigger picture.

He realizes their end will be destruction. The sanctuary reveals the truth of the situation. He now sees that their apparent success and happiness are temporary. He recognizes that their wealth, health, and carefree lives are not the ultimate measure of a person's life. He realizes that their prosperity is fleeting. They are on a slippery slope, destined for a fall, no matter how good it looks in the moment. The psalmist understands that true value is not found in material possessions or earthly success. It is found in a relationship with God. In the sanctuary, the psalmist realizes that he has something the wicked do not: the presence and promise of God.

The Revelation: True Perspective and Eternal Hope

Once he entered the sanctuary, the psalmist's whole perspective shifted. He realized that the prosperity of the wicked was temporary. That's right guys, they were living a lie, and their riches and good times wouldn't last. He saw their end was destruction. He saw that their lives were like a dream, and that there's no comparison between God and the fleeting pleasures of this world. He's like, “I was foolish! I didn't get it at all.” Now he understands why the wicked are so “successful”, and he sees that their success is temporary, and that they will be punished. He finally understands that God will take care of everything, in His own time.

The psalmist's revelation also includes a recognition of his own foolishness. He realizes that his envy and doubt were based on a limited understanding of reality. He acknowledges that he was “brutish” and “ignorant,” allowing his emotions to cloud his judgment. The sanctuary experience leads to a change in his heart and in his thinking. He realizes that he was foolish to be envious, to question God's ways, or to get caught up in the allure of earthly possessions. It is a moment of humility, as he recognizes his own limited perspective. He understands that his own thinking was flawed. He was focusing on the wrong things. His revelation reminds us that, often, our own understanding is limited. We need to be willing to admit when we are wrong and to seek God's guidance to gain a true perspective. It’s also an important moment of introspection. He acknowledges that his judgment was clouded by his emotions. He was consumed by envy and doubt. He admits that he lacked understanding, and he was quick to jump to conclusions based on what he saw on the surface. He was not looking at the bigger picture. His moment of introspection is an important reminder to be honest with ourselves and to examine our hearts.

As the psalmist reflects, he understands that God is always with him. He is constantly holding his hand and guiding him. He realizes that with God he is always safe and secure. It is the understanding that God will never leave him that truly changes everything. He has learned that God is the most important thing. He acknowledges that he has everything he truly needs. This is not just a theological statement, but a heartfelt expression of faith. The psalmist's experience in the sanctuary has brought him closer to God. He now understands that God is his refuge and his strength. God will always be present, and this is what brings him real peace. The psalmist's faith is not based on the absence of struggles but on the presence of God. He has found that the struggles themselves, even the sight of the wicked thriving, cannot shake his faith. He knows that his ultimate satisfaction is not found in the world but in his relationship with God. He realizes that God is his portion and that in God, he has everything he truly needs.

Practical Lessons from Psalms 73

So, what can we take away from this psalm? First of all, it's okay to struggle. Doubt and difficult emotions are part of the human experience. Second, seek God. Go to the sanctuary – make time for prayer, reading the Bible, and fellowship with other believers. Third, remember the bigger picture. Trust that God's justice will prevail in the end. Lastly, find your satisfaction in God. He is the only source of true and lasting joy.

This Psalm is not just about the psalmist, it is about us too. His struggle is a reflection of the challenges we face in our daily lives. His journey provides us with valuable lessons. When we start to feel envy, or when we question God's plan, we can follow Asaph's example. We can take our struggles to God, and seek His perspective. It is okay to be honest about how we are feeling. We can't pretend that everything is always okay. We can't avoid the tough questions. We have to address the struggles honestly. We can't let our envy and doubt win. We can't let the success of the wicked undermine our faith. It is not always easy, but it is necessary to go to God and seek His guidance, so that we may see things more clearly.

This Psalm calls us to remember the bigger picture. We have to seek God and understand that His ways are higher than our ways. God's perspective is eternal and perfect. Our earthly view is limited and can be clouded by emotions. The Psalm reminds us to trust in God's plan. It’s a call to find satisfaction in God alone, because He is the source of true and lasting joy. The world offers fleeting pleasures, but God offers the eternal. This Psalm is a reminder that we can find strength and peace in the relationship with God. The truth is that we all face moments of doubt. But even in our moments of doubt, God is there. He can comfort us, give us peace, and restore our faith. It’s a journey of wrestling with tough questions and finding a deep, abiding faith.

Conclusion: Finding Peace in God

Psalms 73 is a powerful reminder that our faith journey isn't always easy. It's full of bumps, doubts, and tough questions, but ultimately, it points us to the only source of true peace: God. So, the next time you're feeling envious, or when you’re questioning God's plan, remember the psalmist's journey. Go to the sanctuary. Seek God. Trust in His justice, and find your satisfaction in Him. Believe it or not guys, the wicked will not always prosper. This is the central message of Psalms 73. Let's keep the faith, and remember, in God, we have everything we need. Amen.