Good morning:
You know the feeling. It’s one of the first frosty fall mornings and as soon as you step outside your foot slip on a thin layer of ice. You have that awful sensation of losing your balance and you know you’re going down. You just hope that you won’t break anything.
Asaph, the writer of Psalm 73 felt somewhat like that. But he wasn’t in danger of falling on an icy sidewalk. He writes about his faith “slipping.” “My feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (vss. 2-3). Asaph saw how unbelievers seemed to thrive, while he and other believers appeared to have much more difficult lives.
Have you noticed the same? Do you have job or health troubles, while your unbelieving neighbor seems to have everything going his way? While you try to reflect Jesus’ love even toward those who never have a kind word for you, do your efforts seem to backfire? Do someone else’s hurtful comments have no consequences for him? Do you ever wonder whether it’s worth holding onto your faith in Jesus as Savior?
What you need the most when you’re about to slip and fall is something to grab onto. Asaph did that. He grabbed hold of the Word. “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. Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin” (Ps. 73:16-18).
The Lord never forsakes those who trust in Him. He wants only the best for them, which means above all, He wants them to enjoy eternal life with Him. Since Jesus has suffered the penalty for all sin, the trials of life can’t be punishment for the believer. Rather, they are used by the Lord for the eternal good of His people. The apparent prosperity of those who want nothing to do with the Savior is short-lived. The blessings of those who love Him because He first loved us are forever! When you feel yourself slipping, take hold of the Word. Read it today. Hear it in church tomorrow. The Lord who speaks that Word will never let you fall.
In Him,
Pastor
Services tomorrow are 8:00 and 10:45 a.m.
Sunday school: 9:30 and Bible class: 9:45 a.m.
The public school confirmation class will meet at 12:15 p.m.
