SCRIPTURE: Psalms 73:1-28

INTRODUCTION:

One day a blind man decided to go to the zoo. They hired a guide to tell them about all the exotic animals the couldn't see. When they came to the elephants, the zoo keeper wanted them to have more than a verbal description, so he allowed them each to feel the elephant. Since the elephant was large, and since the zoo keeper had limited time, he let each man touch one part of the mammal.

The first blind man reached out his hand and grabbed the elephant's tail. "Aha," He exclaimed, the elephant is like a big rope. The second man felt a massive elephant leg. He Looked strange, No rope was that big. No, the elephant is like a large log or tree. He was sure of this. The third blind man walked forward and ran straight into the elephant's side, whereupon he pronounced the, The elephant is really a big wall. Next, another of the blind men reached out and took hold of the elephant's ears, it must have tickled, because the elephant wiggled the large ear, causing the fourth man to exclaim, Oh, see this, the elephant is like a big fan. The fifth blind man decided that the first four were all slightly daft and they couldn't be describing the same creature, so he carefully walked up and put out his hand, the elephant raised his trunk to the man who felt it and grinned in wonder, My friends, it is obvious the elephant is a huge snake. The final man was totally confused, he walked forward and reached out hoping to find the truth, and encountered a tusk. He paused and brightened, I understand, the true nature of the elephant is this, he is a sword. The zoo keeper and guide smiled to one another, knowing that none had the big, elephant picture.

This was the problem which confronted the writer of this Psalm.

I. HOW ASAPH HAS BEEN EDUCATED

In the first verse, we see Asaph standing on Solid Ground. He has been taught about the goodness of God. He has been taught that the Lord is nothing but good. This is true! Jesus, himself testified to the goodness of God. in Matthew 19:17) there is none good, that is, but God.

Asaph, has been taught two great truths.

A. FIRST. GOD BLESSES HIS PEOPLE.

"God is good to Israel."

Through he may sometimes seem negligent of, and harsh and severe toward, his people; yet, if all all things be considered, it is most certain, and hereafter will be made manifest that he is really and superlatively good, most kind and bountiful and a true friend to them, and that they are most happy in possessing his favour, and have no reason to envy sinners in their present and seeming felicity.

( Psalms 84:11)
For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

B. SECOND. GOD BLESSES THE PURE.

To all true Christians, who love God with their whole hearts, and serve Him in Spirit, and in truth, and uprightness:

( John 4:23)
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.

II. WHAT ASAPH HAS EXPERIENCED

A. FIRST. THE PROSPERITY OF THE SINNER.

(vv.2-3) But as far me,

It bothered Asaph that the wicked prospered wile the children of God did without.

My faith in God';s promises and providence was almost overthrown by the force of temptation; I was almost ready to backslide.

B. SECOND. THE PEACE OF THE SINNER.

(v. 4) For there are no bands in their death.

They continue strong and healthful all their days, till at last they expire quietly, as a lamp goes out when the oil is spent.

C. THIRD. THE PLEASURE OF THE SINNER.

(V. 5) They are not in trouble as other men.

They escape even common calamities. Therefore pride compasseth them about.

D. FOURTH. THE PRIDE OF THE SINNER.

(V. 6-11) By the Pride of the wicked

Because they live the lives they do, and it seems that there is never any opposition from God, they are filled with pride before Him.

They say, God doesn't know! Even if He does, He is weak and unable to do anything about it at all (v.11) It appears to Asaph that they have it made!

E. FIFTH. THE PROGRESS OF THE SINNER.

(v. 12-16) Behold, these are the ungodly who prosper in the world.

When Asaph took all this in, it caused him to become bitter in his heart. 1. He looked at the life he had been living for the Lord. ( v,13) Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain.

2. He looked at his own share of sorrow. ( v.14)

3. He looked at a life for the Lord and it broke his heart. (v.16)

4. Yet, he was afraid to admit how he felt, because he did not want to lead others down the same path of despair he was walking on. (v.15)

When Asaph saw these things, he felt like quitting on God. He felt as though he had actually wasted his time in serving the Lord. How many have truly felt that way?

When the trials of life begin to pile up on us, we are tempted to think that we would have been better off living like the rest of the world.

The statement, there is no benefit in serving the Lord.

The problem with this line of thinking is that life is viewed from a human perspective. When we look at life and it problem vrom a human perspective, we will always focus our attention on SELF.

Everything will always come down to, HOW DOES THIS AFFECT ME?
WHAT PROBLEMS WILL I FACE NOW?
WHEN WILL I EVER HAVE RELIEF?
WHO CARES ABOUT WHAT I AM FACING?

Natural thinking always results in disaster because it allows you to stand in the wrong place and see from the wrong angle.

If you allow yourself to fall into the trap of looking at life from a human perspective you, like Asaph, will find yourself in a place where you will begin to doubt what you know to be true about the Lord. IT IS A DANGEROUS PLACE TO BE IN!

III. WHAT ASAPH ENCOUNTERED

In verse 17, the mood of the Psalm changes, Asaph moves from the Slippery Ground of a backsliddern condition, with human perspective and step squarely into SHOUTING GROUNDS of a HEAVENLY PERSPECTIVE.

It seem that Asaph made a trip to church ( temple)

There, he talked with the Lord, and he allowed the Lord to talk with him ( Isn't that great?) As he did, he was able to get his eyes off of himself and the problems he faced.

He was able to lose his human perspective and replace it with a Heavenly perspective.

Notice what became clear to Asaph when he went to the church to talk with the Lord.

His thinking was different now. His vision was different.

A. FIRST. THE FUTURE OF THE SINNER ( v. 17-20)

Asaph came to realize that the wicked may have the best here. They may live it up and enjoy life to the fullest, BUT that dream existence they are living will end when the breath leaves their body!

All they have to look forward to is an eternity in Hell to be separated from the Lord Forever. ( II Thessalonians 1:8-9)

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

(v.9) Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.

Before we allow ourselves to become too jealous over the lives of the wicked are living, we need to consider the fact that this is the only Heaven they will know.

ISN'T THAT DEPRESSING?

Lost friends, love one you need to get right with God! You are living on borrowed time!

B. SECOND. THE FOOLISHNESS OF SELF.

Now, Asaph confesses the fact that he has been looking at everything through a faulty set of lenses. He deals with the matter of his own heart.

You can say that God doesn't care!

But He does. He says ( I Peter 5:7)

God hears and He says ( Jeremiah 33:3)

God isn't there YES HE IS, and He says ( Hebrews 13:5)

C. THIRD. THE FULNESS OF GOD.

The greater blessing we could ever receive is God's Holy Spirit.

( John 14:16)
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

CONCLUSION

Do we have any Asaph's present today? It comes down to where you are standing today! Some are lost here this morning. This altar is open!