5 Days of Devotion
Day Three – Wednesday
Psalm 73
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!
It’s time to change your confession! Quite often when our minds look to what is going on around us we wonder what God is actually thinking. When the Bible says the rain rains on the just and the unjust we become frustrated and secretly ponder why God seemingly is good to those in the world who only seem to do evil. Our confession becomes one of a weak Christian, not confident in who we are but confident only in what we see.
God is a good God. He is good to everyone. He treats the world on the basis of Jesus’ blood. He is not looking to destroy, hurt or hate anyone. He loves the world. When Christians and non-Christians alike prosper God is for them and not against them. In fact, I believe that as God looks after the ‘sinner’ He is trying to reach them with His love more than we realise! God is good!
The world has painted people who do well in life as evil cheats. People who steal wealth and never give back. Socialism in our society says the rich should pay for everything a poor person does not want to do for themselves. Jealously and envy are the root of all forms of the love of money. When the wicked prosper we immediately ask God why them and not me! Were you prepared to work the hours they worked? Were you chasing money and business they way they worked? Did you pay the price they paid?
I am sure there are evil cheats and nasty people out there but not every non-Christian is evil. Some of them are nicer than many Christians. Don’t look at the success of others and say that their prosperity or success is unfair. Don’t look at what an evil person is doing to see whether or not the world is even and balanced. We need to learn to rejoice with those who succeed. We need to support people who are doing well. We need to extend our faith to see them grow even further.
I was talking to someone recently and they said, “I help people. I tell them how to succeed, they follow the instruction and then it blows up for them. My instruction works for them but when I try it…” I know how she feels. It is easy to spot what other people need and fail to implement it successfully in our own lives. Sometimes it is our understanding that is getting in the way of us going all in or it is simply that our calling and ability is to tell, not do.
When we see what success others have and we wish we could have the same we must realise that our success path with God is not located in what others do. Our path remains locked in the wisdom of God. It is inside of us, in the Word of God and connected to our relationship with the Holy Spirit. In this passage of Psalm 73 the Psalmist questions God’s heart. He wonders if God even takes notice of our hearts. He wants to know if what the wicked do is even on God’s radar.
Often we feel disconnected from God. Our emotions get the better of us and we pick up what others around us are doing. They seem to succeed where we failed. They do evil things and never get punished. I grew up in a house of discipline. My parents instilled into me good morals to the point that even now a simple little white lie or exaggeration tears my insides up. I often watch other Christians tell porkies and cover their backs. They exaggerate the truth often at the expense of others. I sit and wait for the lightning bolt to hit them that never comes. The disconnect we have with God often is our own hearts looking to see if God will do anything.
We have to always come back to the realisation that God is good! All the time. It doesn’t matter if you get caught out in the rain or if you have a bad experience on holiday. God is good. If you succeed, God is good. If you fail, God is good. If you face trouble at work, God is good. If you witness people who abuse their power, God is good. If you see a tragedy firsthand, God is good.
Don’t think that what you do is not noticed. Your labour of love is recognised. Your behaviour, your faith, your love for others, your sowing of finances is all seen by the God of the universe. He knows. He is working on things. Behind the scenes things are happening but you will only see them if you stay connected. Don’t be lured away with riches. Don’t change your actions to line up with the wicked. Never be drawn into sin because a short cut has presented itself. You are set apart. You are a holy people, unique and peculiar.
Confess this today:
“I know that God knows me! I believe that what I am doing is God ordained! I will succeed in God’s timing. I release my faith today and expect everything God has for me. I take my eyes off of the world and place them wholeheartedly on my Father’s Word. I am a new creation. I am a believer. I am a world overcomer! I live for my God and He is living for my GOOD! I receive it all! Hallelujah!”
