January 15th, 2026
Good morning, church family and friends!
I love the Psalms. I return to them again and again. I had a college professor who taught us that you don’t go to the Psalms to shape your theology. You go to the Psalms to learn how to pray.
I spent time in Psalm 73 last week and found my journey intertwined with that of the Psalmist. It was written by Asaph, who authored eleven other Psalms. He was appointed by King David as one of the primary worship leaders in the temple (I Chron. 16:4-5). This was a man who knew the Lord and knew how to lead others into the presence of God.
Asaph started the psalm with a truth: “Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart” (Ps. 73:1). It sounds as if he is setting up the psalm to be a celebration of the goodness God. And it will be. But he takes a circuitous route to get there!
From this foundational truth, Asaph revealed his struggle: “But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I nearly lost my foothold” (v. 2). He then identified the source of his wrestling match. “I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (v. 3). What honesty! He struggled with why the wicked often seem to be in a better spot than the godly. Been there . . . done that!
And he wonders if it has all been worth it. “Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence” (v. 13). Not sure how some of my Sunday School teachers would have responded to an admission like that! Asaph not only had the freedom to admit his struggle but under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, recorded it for us to read. Oh, to be that honest in prayer.
His journey continued: “When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny” (vv. 16-17). Rather than allowing the enemy to drive him into isolation, Asaph was driven to the sanctuary of God – the place of worship. In worship he received what he desperately needed – clarity of who God is and the revelation God’s goodness is not changed or determined by my circumstances.
Asaph returned to his original theme with these words: “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (vv. 23-26). I can only add my hearty “Amen!”
The Psalmist has taken us on quite a journey. From a truth (God is good) to a struggle (not so sure about that) to a clarification (God is worthy) to a powerful affirmation (God is enough). Guessing you have joined Asaph, and me, on that journey at least once. May the journey lead you closer to the heart of God and to a deeper prayer life. Hallelujah!
Blessings,
Pastor David
I love the Psalms. I return to them again and again. I had a college professor who taught us that you don’t go to the Psalms to shape your theology. You go to the Psalms to learn how to pray.
I spent time in Psalm 73 last week and found my journey intertwined with that of the Psalmist. It was written by Asaph, who authored eleven other Psalms. He was appointed by King David as one of the primary worship leaders in the temple (I Chron. 16:4-5). This was a man who knew the Lord and knew how to lead others into the presence of God.
Asaph started the psalm with a truth: “Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart” (Ps. 73:1). It sounds as if he is setting up the psalm to be a celebration of the goodness God. And it will be. But he takes a circuitous route to get there!
From this foundational truth, Asaph revealed his struggle: “But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I nearly lost my foothold” (v. 2). He then identified the source of his wrestling match. “I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (v. 3). What honesty! He struggled with why the wicked often seem to be in a better spot than the godly. Been there . . . done that!
And he wonders if it has all been worth it. “Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence” (v. 13). Not sure how some of my Sunday School teachers would have responded to an admission like that! Asaph not only had the freedom to admit his struggle but under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, recorded it for us to read. Oh, to be that honest in prayer.
His journey continued: “When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny” (vv. 16-17). Rather than allowing the enemy to drive him into isolation, Asaph was driven to the sanctuary of God – the place of worship. In worship he received what he desperately needed – clarity of who God is and the revelation God’s goodness is not changed or determined by my circumstances.
Asaph returned to his original theme with these words: “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (vv. 23-26). I can only add my hearty “Amen!”
The Psalmist has taken us on quite a journey. From a truth (God is good) to a struggle (not so sure about that) to a clarification (God is worthy) to a powerful affirmation (God is enough). Guessing you have joined Asaph, and me, on that journey at least once. May the journey lead you closer to the heart of God and to a deeper prayer life. Hallelujah!
Blessings,
Pastor David
Recent
Archive
2025
October
2024
2023
January
February
March
April
August
September
December
2022
January
February
September
No Comments