I was listening to a sermon on Psalm 73 one day when a couple of verses really stood out to me. Psalm 73 is an incredible Psalm of Asaph and begins with his lament about how the wicked seem to prosper in this world.
I found I could relate to Asaph’s frustration as it builds throughout the first few verses of this chapter. He observes how godless, evil people often seem to do well in life. They thrive, having an abundance of power with riches that increase, in spite of the fact that they have set themselves against God.
Asaph even goes on to quote the scoffers and the wicked. He highlights the fact that they bring violence against God’s people, then have the audacity to ask impudent questions of God. Questions such as,
“How does God know?
And is there knowledge in the Most High?”
In verse 13, Asaph’s discouragement is so intense that he even queries if his God-fearing, righteous life has been for nothing. He exclaims,
“Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain.”
When I look at the atrocious things done by evil people in this day and age and see how the wicked still gain power, fame and fortune, I can understand the sentiments expressed by Asaph. It can be so disheartening to see the appalling things done in this world by people who curse God and show nothing but disdain for Him and seemingly get away with it! Not only that, they appear to prosper from a godless life!
I think this certainly makes the thoughts of Asaph easily relatable and so going back to his words in Psalm 73, the moment that really stood out to me was the turning point in his reasoning. In verses 16 and 17 he observes,
“When I thought how to understand this,
It was too painful for me-
Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
Then I understood their end.”
Here we see the transformational impact that coming into the sanctuary of God has on the human soul. The wonderful truth very evident here, is that the Throne of Jesus is the place where we can bring our earthly troubles and gain a heavenly perspective.
It is hard to understand why the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer in this world. It is hard to understand the heartache and injustices we face in life. It’s reasonable to point out though that left to ourselves, we only ever look at things with a temporal point of view and see how things affect us in the “here and now.” God looks at the bigger picture however and sees things with an eternal viewpoint.
When we bring our troubles into the Courts of Jesus where His eternal light shines onto each matter, suddenly we begin seeing things with a whole new perspective. It’s in His sanctuary that we are reminded that God is good, all the time. It’s in His sanctuary that we remember He is in control and nothing escapes His sight. In His Courts we rediscover that God is continually with us, upholding us and guiding us through life.
Coming into the Courts of Jesus should always broaden our viewpoint and take us out of the narrow limits of our own understanding as we trust in the Just and Righteous character of God. He is a God who loves justice and no proud word or action from the wicked will go unaccounted for. He will not be mocked.
When we dwell in His presence, just like Asaph, we suddenly see the wicked in a very different light indeed. We are reminded through his later words in Psalm 73, that the wicked are not in fact to be envied but indeed, pitied! Those who are unrepentant and far from God shall come to destruction and perish in the end! This is not an enviable position to be in at all and certainly prompts my heart to pray for people in that condition!
I don’t understand why certain things happen in this world but I do understand, like the Psalmist Asaph that it is good for me to draw near to God and find a balance of perspective in His presence.
When our hearts are discouraged with the many injustices and heartaches we see in life, I pray my poem, “Come Into His Courts” can encourage us to run into His sanctuary. It’s here that we are reminded of His Sovereignty and wisdom and can truly find comfort for our souls. May these words reestablish our thoughts in the foundational truths that through it all, God is good, He loves us, He is in control and He is worthy to be trusted.
Come into His Courts, O’ Christian. Bring your heavy, troubled soul. I found I could relate to Asaph’s frustration as it builds throughout the first few verses of this chapter. He observes how godless, evil people often seem to do well in life. They thrive, having an abundance of power with riches that increase, in spite of the fact that they have set themselves against God.
Asaph even goes on to quote the scoffers and the wicked. He highlights the fact that they bring violence against God’s people, then have the audacity to ask impudent questions of God. Questions such as,
“How does God know?
And is there knowledge in the Most High?”
In verse 13, Asaph’s discouragement is so intense that he even queries if his God-fearing, righteous life has been for nothing. He exclaims,
“Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain.”
When I look at the atrocious things done by evil people in this day and age and see how the wicked still gain power, fame and fortune, I can understand the sentiments expressed by Asaph. It can be so disheartening to see the appalling things done in this world by people who curse God and show nothing but disdain for Him and seemingly get away with it! Not only that, they appear to prosper from a godless life!
I think this certainly makes the thoughts of Asaph easily relatable and so going back to his words in Psalm 73, the moment that really stood out to me was the turning point in his reasoning. In verses 16 and 17 he observes,
“When I thought how to understand this,
It was too painful for me-
Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
Then I understood their end.”
Here we see the transformational impact that coming into the sanctuary of God has on the human soul. The wonderful truth very evident here, is that the Throne of Jesus is the place where we can bring our earthly troubles and gain a heavenly perspective.
It is hard to understand why the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer in this world. It is hard to understand the heartache and injustices we face in life. It’s reasonable to point out though that left to ourselves, we only ever look at things with a temporal point of view and see how things affect us in the “here and now.” God looks at the bigger picture however and sees things with an eternal viewpoint.
When we bring our troubles into the Courts of Jesus where His eternal light shines onto each matter, suddenly we begin seeing things with a whole new perspective. It’s in His sanctuary that we are reminded that God is good, all the time. It’s in His sanctuary that we remember He is in control and nothing escapes His sight. In His Courts we rediscover that God is continually with us, upholding us and guiding us through life.
Coming into the Courts of Jesus should always broaden our viewpoint and take us out of the narrow limits of our own understanding as we trust in the Just and Righteous character of God. He is a God who loves justice and no proud word or action from the wicked will go unaccounted for. He will not be mocked.
When we dwell in His presence, just like Asaph, we suddenly see the wicked in a very different light indeed. We are reminded through his later words in Psalm 73, that the wicked are not in fact to be envied but indeed, pitied! Those who are unrepentant and far from God shall come to destruction and perish in the end! This is not an enviable position to be in at all and certainly prompts my heart to pray for people in that condition!
I don’t understand why certain things happen in this world but I do understand, like the Psalmist Asaph that it is good for me to draw near to God and find a balance of perspective in His presence.
When our hearts are discouraged with the many injustices and heartaches we see in life, I pray my poem, “Come Into His Courts” can encourage us to run into His sanctuary. It’s here that we are reminded of His Sovereignty and wisdom and can truly find comfort for our souls. May these words reestablish our thoughts in the foundational truths that through it all, God is good, He loves us, He is in control and He is worthy to be trusted.
Give the Lord your deepest woes and all the things you can’t control.
You will find no better tonic, no solution more worthwhile.
Come into His sanctuary and find a place to rest awhile.
Dwell with Him, O’ weary Christian, meditate on what He’s done.
Open up your troubled heart and turn to Jesus Christ, His Son.
Though the wicked seem to prosper, though their riches may increase,
Come before your Mighty God and let Him grant your spirit peace.
Though your soul is grieved within you, though their ways may vex the mind,
Come into the Courts of Jesus! Harmony is there to find.
Seek His face and Godly counsel, gain a new perspective true.
Enter into Heaven’s realms and there attain a broader view!
Drench concerns in light eternal, turn your thoughts to things divine.
Know the Lord will put it right, in His perfect way and time.
Rise above your understanding, Jesus sees each circumstance.
Trust His wisdom and His timing, leave it in His mighty hands.
Envy not the godless one, though power may be theirs for now.
Desolation lies in wait and Jesus Christ will cast them down.
Pity those who now oppose Him, pray for them who curse His Throne!
Ask that they would seek His grace before they reap what they have sown.
Come into His Courts, O’ Christian. Pray and pray and pray some more!
Give the Lord your soul’s surrender, leave your worries at His door.
Jesus Christ our God is Sovereign, He’ll refresh your heart and mind!
Come into His Courts today! A better place you will not find.
Psalm 116:7
“Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.”
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