"There was a woman who lived on the streets near our church. She would ask for money and react aggressively to those who refused. She walked the streets for years, accompanied by a mass of plastic bags. When she died, I took the funeral. Although I didn’t expect anyone to be there, there were in fact several well-dressed people at the service. I discovered afterwards that this woman had inherited a large fortune. She had acquired a luxurious flat and many valuable paintings, but she chose to live on the streets with her plastic bags full of rubbish. She could not bring herself to leave her lifestyle, and she never enjoyed her inheritance.
Some people are afraid of change, while others believe change is not possible. Yet the wonderful news is that with God’s help you can change. This change is key to spiritual growth and transformation. It is not just about changing your actions or appearance though, you need to change on the inside – you need a change of heart. How can this happen?
Psalm 73:1-14
1. Changed through seeing things from God’s perspective
Have you ever wondered whether your faith was really worthwhile? Have you ever looked around at very successful people who have no faith and wondered whether they are better off than you and even been tempted to be envious of them?
The psalmist has kept his heart pure (v.1), but he has found life extremely tough. He has had his struggles and been ‘plagued’ (v.5) by temptation, doubts, fears and anxiety of mind.
He looks around at an affluent society that seems to be doing very well without God. He begins to slip (v.2): ‘For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked’ (v.3).
You may see people around who are rich and successful. In spite of their ‘callous hearts’ (v.7), they seem not to have struggles (v.4). They seem perfectly healthy and free from burdens (vv.4–5). They are proud and arrogant, and appear to have no need of God (vv.6–11).
This psalm is the testimony of a person who finds himself on the slippery path of doubt and despair (v.2). He wonders whether he has kept his heart pure in vain (v.13).
That is until (as we shall see in a few days’ time), he ‘entered the sanctuary of God’ (v.17). Then he had a complete change of heart. He ‘understood their final destiny’. He realised the difference between their destiny and his (v.17).
The psalm starts, ‘Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart’ (v.1). And it ends, ‘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’ (v.28).
Lord, may I, like the psalmist, enter your sanctuary and see things from your perspective. Thank you that I can say with the psalmist that ‘you are good to those who are pure in heart ... it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.’"
1. Thank You that there is always a better perspective. May I learn to focus on Your perspective.
2. Thank You for energy to walk at least 7 kilometers.
3. Thank You for movies as entertainment.
