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Paul says we Christians are running a race. Here's what I'm looking at on my run toward Christ.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Psalm 73- When Good Guys Seem Like Losers

Below is a Psalm I read today.  I "randomly" flipped to this Psalm and it is exactly what I needed to read.  In Pulse (my church's youth group) we have been talking about sex.  I talked about waiting until marriage, which I am.  While I want to follow God's plan, sometimes I look around and it seems like those that aren't waiting are doing just fine and enjoying themselves much more than I am.  This Psalm is the perfect response from God.

Psalm 73 A psalm of Asaph.

1 "Surely God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart.

2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
I had nearly lost my foothold.
3 For I envied the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4 They have no struggles;
their bodies are healthy and strong.
5 They are free from common human burdens;
they are not plagued by human ills.
6 Therefore pride is their necklace;
they clothe themselves with violence.
7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity
their evil imaginations have no limits.
8 They scoff, and speak with malice;
with arrogance they threaten oppression.
9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven,
and their tongues take possession of the earth.
10 Therefore their people turn to them
and drink up waters in abundance.
11 They say, “How would God know?
Does the Most High know anything?”

12 This is what the wicked are like—
always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.

13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure
and have washed my hands in innocence.
14 All day long I have been afflicted,
and every morning brings new punishments.

15 If I had spoken out like that,
I would have betrayed your children.
16 When I tried to understand all this,
it troubled me deeply
17 till I entered the sanctuary of God;
then I understood their final destiny.

18 Surely you place them on slippery ground;
you cast them down to ruin.
19 How suddenly are they destroyed,
completely swept away by terrors!
20 They are like a dream when one awakes;
when you arise, Lord,
you will despise them as fantasies.

21 When my heart was grieved
and my spirit embittered,
22 I was senseless and ignorant;
I was a brute beast before you.

23 Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.

27 Those who are far from you will perish;
you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
28 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."

4 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Isn't it awesome how God leads us to what we really need to read/hear? =) Take heart Matt...keep fighting.

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  3. I hear you, brother. I have the same thoughts: "if it was wrong to have sex before marriage (or do whatever), then why am I the one is doing right but feeling like I'm missing something? Shouldn't living right feel and be better?"

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  4. That's why the second half is there Joel. I feel like the first half of the Psalm, but I trust in the second half.

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