When Good Things Happen to Bad People
The work on our basement remodel actually started today. We are excited about this project and look forward to the finished product. I got out early and did some work with our rose bushes and growth around the house, this evening it will be time for me to get out and mow the grass. Debbie and I did get to go to “On the Border” for one or our rare Mexican meals out. (Thanks Prime Timers for the gift certificate)
Today, I finally started on the project of cataloging past CaringBridge entries. It has hard to believe we are beginning our third year of daily posts. These daily devotionals had their genesis in the CaringBridge posts that Debbie began when I was first hospitalized and she realized that my illness was going to be a major challenge for us all.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “I tried to understand all this, but it was too hard for me to see until I went to the Temple of God...I am always with you; you have held my hand. You guide me with your advice, and later you will receive me in honor. I have no one in heaven but you; I want nothing on earth besides you. My body and my mind may become weak,but God is my strength. He is mine forever.” Psalm 73:16,23-26 (NCV)
Psalm 73 is one of my favorite Psalms. We often wrestle with the question, “why do bad things happen to good people?” But what we see in scripture is the struggle with “why do good things happen to bad people…why do they prosper?” That is the struggle we see in the first verses of Psalm 73.
Here is how the Psalmist Asaph describes what he observes about the wicked, “They are not suffering; they are healthy and strong. They donāt have troubles like the rest of us; they donāt have problems like other people. They wear pride like a necklace and put on violence as their clothing. They are looking for profits and do not control their selfish desires. They make fun of others and speak evil; proudly they speak of hurting others. They brag to the sky. They say that they own the earth.” (Psa. 73:9)
DoĀ you know someone like that? Does someone come to mind when you read those words? What is important is when we focus too much on others and what we don’t understand it affects our thinking and our attitude. Even though the Psalmist affirms God’s goodness he also says, “But I had almost stopped believing; I had almost lost my faith because I was jealous of proud people. I saw wicked people doing well.” (Psa. 73:2,3)
The Psalmist began to question why he lived the life he did. Why did he continue to live a life of discipline and continue to do what was right? All of this began to make an impact on his mind and emotions until….“He went to he temple.” In God’s House his perspective was changed. His understanding was enlightened and His faith was strengthened. He saw the truth… “Those who are far from God will die; you destroy those who are unfaithful. But I am close to God, and that is good.” (Psa. 73:27,28)
The Psalmist affirms that God’s presence is constant, His counsel is faithful and God’s plan is glorious. Whether in heaven or on earth the Lord is the rock that gives us strength and shelter that provides for us the protection we need. When I read the words of the Psalmist, I am reminded of the of the security and confidence the Lord provides for our living and our dying.
That is why the Psalmist says, “my body and mind may become weak, but God is my strength…” The God of our present, is ourĀ God of our future and our eternity. That is something that sets people who place their faith in the Lord apart from others. Our responsibility is to keep our eyes on the Lord, to understand the strength we receive from being in God’s House and to resolve, “it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.” (Psa. 73:28 ESV)