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Today's Devotion
From Dr. David Jeremiah
Sanctuary
November 20, 2024
When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me—until I went into the sanctuary of God.
Psalm 73:16-17
Recommended Reading:
Psalm 73To such as are pure in heart.2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;My steps had nearly slipped.3 For I was envious of the boastful,When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.4 For there are no pangs in their death,But their strength is firm.5 They are not in trouble as other men,Nor are they plagued like other men.6 Therefore pride serves as their necklace;Violence covers them like a garment.7 Their eyes bulge[{{f}}] with abundance;They have more than heart could wish.8 They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression;They speak loftily.9 They set their mouth against the heavens,And their tongue walks through the earth.10 Therefore his people return here,And waters of a full cup are drained by them.11 And they say, “How does God know?And is there knowledge in the Most High?”12 Behold, these are the ungodly,Who are always at ease;They increase in riches.13 Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain,And washed my hands in innocence.14 For all day long I have been plagued,And chastened every morning.15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,”Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.16 When I thought how to understand this,It was too painful for me—17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God;Then I understood their end.18 Surely You set them in slippery places;You cast them down to destruction.19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment!They are utterly consumed with terrors.20 As a dream when one awakes,So, Lord, when You awake,You shall despise their image.21 Thus my heart was grieved,And I was vexed in my mind.22 I was so foolish and ignorant;I was like a beast before You.23 Nevertheless I am continually with You;You hold me by my right hand.24 You will guide me with Your counsel,And afterward receive me to glory.25 Whom have I in heaven but You?And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.26 My flesh and my heart fail;But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.27 For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish;You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.28 But it is good for me to draw near to God;I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,That I may declare all Your works.
Psalm 73:1-28
The writer of Psalm 73 knew in his head that God was good (verse 1). But this writer, Asaph, was troubled in his heart by what he saw around him. The wicked were thriving (verses 3-9). They scoffed at the notion of God (verses 10-11), yet they were growing richer (verse 12). Asaph, who tried to live a godly life, wondered why he had more problems than the arrogant (verses 13-14).
What did Asaph do? He expressed his questions to God. He went into the Lord’s presence like entering a sanctuary, and he gained new insights about the brevity of life for the wicked compared to the eternal glory afforded him by his faith (verses 15-24).
There’s a temptation when faced with spiritual questions to withdraw from God in frustration when we should withdraw to God in faith. We may not always understand our situations, but we’ll draw closer to the One who does understand.
Do you have spiritual questions? Go to God with them!
Faith does not eliminate questions. But faith knows where to take them.
Elisabeth Elliot
