Heart Change in Psalm 73

1-12-15
I thinking about Psalm 73 and the struggle Asaph the writer goes through. The psalms begins with a focus on the seeming prosperity of the wicked and he becomes dis-heartened. As he says, "My feet had almost slipped."  But in the flow of the psalm it seems that he realized how off-focus he was. In fact it was when he came into God's presence in the sanctuary that his complaint changes to a reminder of how blessed he is. And he sees the end of the wicked lifestyle. Here are seven revelations he got.
1. I am continually with you, Lord. And he drinks in the presence of God. Isolation and loneliness flee.
2. You have taken hold of my right hand. He is secure. His is being guided and led by this hand. This is such a gentle reminder of God's care.
3. With your counsel you will guide me. When we call on Him He promises wisdom and guidance. then takes us by the hand.
4. Afterward receive me into glory. As we walk with him and listen to his voice he takes us from glory to glory, from one bright place to another. With God is light and brightness, with Him is a walk so glorious it's breathtaking. And in the end: all the glory belongs to Him!
5. whom have I in heaven but you? and there is none on earth I desire besides you. The rhetorical question is answered immediately. Or course there is no one besides him in heaven, even more importantly, his is our all consuming desire. As one verse says, the desire of ages.
6. My heart and my flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. How wonderful, knowing the flesh, we know we will fail, but our God is our strength, even the strength of our heart.
7. And he is our portion! Amazing. He is our life and light and all in all. He is our all now and our all in heaven and our all forever. truly he is all we want.
This change in heart for Asaph changed the outcome of the psalm. Instead of complaining or sitting in confusion he began to see clearly from heavens perspective. God is our everything: our righteousness, our good , our refuge and our strength.

If you have become discouraged. If you feel like your trying to walk with God and it's too hard and doesn't seem to fix things. Read this psalm again and let your perspective by changed.

Lord, Help us when we get discouraged or distracted to change our focus, off of our problems and onto you. Help us to rest secure in your care and protection, your love and grace.
for Jesus sake.