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Download Today’s Devotional: Day – 04 – Psalm 73 – Ever Feel Like Life Isn’t Fair

Have you ever wondered why God allows some people get away with murder? Did you ever wonder why the wicked seem to prosper?

Let’s go to God in prayer; Heavenly Father, I often find myself preoccupied with the question of fairness, or perhaps more accurately, unfairness. It seems like some of the things that happened to me just aren’t fair. And at the same time, it seems like others around are prospering who do very little to deserve it. I know I have much to be thankful, so please help me today to get keep eyes on the many blessings in my life, and especially upon you.  I ask this in the name and in the authority of your son, Jesus Christ, amen.

It is easy to begin to question God’s fairness when you get your eyes to consistently on the world. The cares of this life have a way of screaming their importance, demanding our time, and ravaging our affections. This is why we so desperately need to spend quiet times of mediation with God. It is hard to live for another world when you are only gazing on this one.  We need to see things from God’s perspective. This life is a like the morning mist, it is here one moment limiting our vision and then suddenly it is gone[1]. It’s only when we see things in light of eternity that life makes sense. We are pilgrims on this earth, here only for a while, and then eternity. As you meditate on Psalm 73 this morning, pay particular attention in verse 17 to what saved the psalmist from stumbling.  What you are doing today, so, so very important.

Psalm 73

A psalm of Asaph.

¹ Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure. ² But as for me, I almost lost my footing.

My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. ³ For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. ⁴ They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. ⁵ They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else. ⁶ They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. ⁷ These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for! ⁸ They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others. ⁹ They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth. ¹⁰ And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words. ¹¹ “What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?” ¹² Look at these wicked people— enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply. ¹³ Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?

¹⁴ I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain. ¹⁵ If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people. ¹⁶ So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper.

But what a difficult task it is! ¹⁷ Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. ¹⁸ Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. ¹⁹ In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors. ²⁰ When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning. ²¹ Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. ²² I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. ²³ Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. ²⁴ You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. ²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. ²⁶ My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. ²⁷ Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. ⁸ But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,

and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do. ^[2]

[1] James 4:13-14 (NLT)

^[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ps 73). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.