As Christians, we sometimes feel discouraged by God. The scriptures provide many examples of believers who fell into this trap, and we can all identify with this feeling. The main reason for this emotional turmoil is that believers often think God is not fair and that He loves some more than others, even unbelievers who do not know Him. Wrong assumption!
Asaph, a notable Psalmist was a Levite. He was a singer and musician who served in the temple of God under Kings David and Solomon. He wrote many Psalms, one of which is Psalm 73. This Psalm is an honest, straight-to-the-point account of a minister struggling with his faith while waiting for God’s promise. The Psalms opens with Asaph describing God’s goodness.
“Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. 3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked”. Psalm 73: 1-3.
Asaph was a firm believer, so he did not doubt God’s existence. He believed God was good to Israel and those pure in heart. However, he could not understand how the wicked prospered, and he envied them. He wished he could live their lives—a stress-free life where he could get all he wanted. At this point, he started to slide into discouragement. Asaph gets so discouraged with God that he implies that the wicked live untroubled lives. He is troubled by their apparent success while he suffers and has to endure hardship. Asaph wonders why he should bother to be good. Asaph could not comprehend until he entered God’s sanctuary.
The sanctuary is the innermost part of the temple. In our lives, the sanctuary is where we meet one-on-one with the LORD. It is a place of prayer, worship, and fellowship with other believers. Despite his state of mind, Asaph made a smart move. As one of the leaders of the people, he did not want to give a wrong presentation of who God is, so he decided to go in the presence of the LORD. There, the mystery could be solved, and there it was solved.
Asaph realized the emptiness in the ephemeral things tempting him. He realized there were two ends. The wealthy without Christ will end up as waste, while those who believe in Christ, though they may not have everything now, will enjoy eternal bliss. Instead of discouragement, he receives encouragement through the unfailing Word of God.
At the end of his encounter with the LORD, he ended the Psalm with this joyous note, “But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.” Psalm 73:28
Lesson learned:
- In this world, we will all face temptations. But we must remember the LORD does not abandon His children 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide a way of escape that you may be able to endure.”
Discouragement is a temptation common to man. Instead of wallowing in discouragement, go to the LORD. Then, like Asaph, you will end on a joyous note. Encouragement is just a knee away! Let me know your thoughts in the comment section.