In Psalms chapter seventy-three Asaph said, “Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well near slipped”, and in chapter seventy-three and verse three of Psalms Asaph said, “I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” where we read,
For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
The verse begins, “For I was envious at the foolish, ...” Asaph began with the words, “for I was envious” or “because, since and on account that I, Asaph, existed as zealous and jealous” “at the foolish” which means “at the boastful, renown and favored”. Asaph shared how his feet and steps nearly slipped because he was jealous of people who were favored and boastful.
The verse goes on to say, “... when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” Asaph continued with the words, “when I saw the prosperity” or “at the time and moment I, Asaph, observed, noticed, discerned, inspected and beheld the completeness, soundness, welfare and health” “of the wicked” which means “belonging to the criminal, guilty of sin and hostile to God”. Asaph said he was jealous of people who were boastful and favored because he observed the welfare and health of those who criminal, guilty of sin and hostile to God.
When we think through the words in this verse, we discover what disturbed Asaph. He was jealous of people who were evil and hostile to God because they were sound, healthy, at peace and wealthy. Asaph followed Jehovah God the Divine judge, and these prospering people did not, and yet, they prospered. God allows his rain to fall on the just and unjust (See Matthew 5:45), and it can be very upsetting when we see people receive favor and prosperity even though they are evil. God loves everyone, and He sent His Son Jesus to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we surrender ourselves to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us proper perspective when we see people flourish who are hostile to the ways of God.
Next time Asaph says, “there are no bands in their death”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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