“…my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped.” Ps. 73:2 (ESV)
I feel like a lot of us are walking into a log across our path, or maybe on quick sand.
The Psalmist Asaph writes like someone living today, with unrest and chaos, confusion and division. Everywhere we look there is something to take our eyes off the path. Asaph is distracted by the swell of voices and the tide of power. His words teeter on the edge of giving up, 
losing faith, throwing it all overboard. Sound familiar?
What brought the author to that precarious standing?
“For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” Ps. 73:3 (ESV)
What Asaph saw happening with his eyes seemed to fly in the face of faith. Comparisons drove him almost mad. They distorted truth. But when he pointed to the things that spiraled him into despair, they are the same ones we wrestle with today.
His list of grievances is long and ordinary.
Those without God lived an easy life with no troubles. They had good health without suffering. All that life had to offer was theirs. They were rich and getting richer. They got by with anything and everything. They were proud and powerful, cruel and malicious.
What Asaph saw discouraged him so much, his hope stifled and faith wavered.
But here is the real crunch. They operated from a spiritual view that God neither knew nor cared. It was combat.
- Godless vs. God-fearing.
- No moral compass vs. integrity.
- Evil vs. Good.
- Arrogance vs. Humility.
In their sneering, sniveling ways they taunted and bragged, “How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?” Ps. 73:11 (ESV)
They stood on a worthless foundation, the same as underlies many grasping to pull us their way.
It’s a sinkhole.
Asaph, even though he was a man of faith began to think with the reasoning of the world, rather than with the mind of God’s truth. It was tripping him up and pulling him down.
“All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence,” he thought. Ps. 73:13 (ESV)
To allow ourselves to toy at the edge of a sinkhole is always a bad place to play.
Yet, I love this Psalm. It is one of my favorites. It is so real and so raw. Most of all, I love this Psalm because there is such a distinct turn around, a pronounced change of course. It’s as if Asaph points a finger at his problem and just turns it the other direction and he follows 
what he knows is true, rather than what he feels.
“But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.” Ps. 73:16-17 (ESV)
In the sanctuary of God, He met God.
- In the presence of God Asaph’s sight cleared.
- In the presence of God his feet found firm ground.
- In the presence of God discernment came.
This is where we need to be for that to happen to us.
- In His presence perspective is set aright.
- In His presence hope is restored.
- In His presence we recognize our greatest prize is God Himself.
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever,” he concluded. Ps. 73:26 (ESV)
How might we change course? What needs to happen for perspective to change in your life?
“…until I went into the sanctuary of God…”
Marilyn Nutter
Truth Sylvia…until I went into the sanctuary and met God. Open eyes, discernment, firm foundation, perspective, and hope. Sounds like a banquet we can’t pass up to be nourished and filled. Thanks for the way you approached this much needed perspective.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Marilyn. I’m sure there are times I could cut out a lot of fuming and go straight to God! Appreciate your comment.
Barbara Latta
The world fights for our attention with distractions that compete with God’s word. Our success depends upon abiding in Christ to keep us out of that sinkhole. Your analogy is right on.
Sylvia Schroeder
Yes. Abiding in Christ. So true Barbara! Thank you!
Katherine Pasour
As someone who has had past experience on “the edge of a sinkhole,” I can strongly identify with your message. As you note, there is only one course of action; get into God’s sanctuary. I think in this time of isolation and conflict, we may be even more tempted by the sin of the sinkhole. Thank you for reminding us where our safety is.
Sylvia Schroeder
Katherine, thank you. I definitely wrote from being acquainted with the sinkhole all too well! Appreciate your reading and responding!
Nancy E Head
So often I turn pages in the Bible to see God’s assurance that He sees what’s happening. And He will act as He will when His time to do so comes.
…until I went into the sanctuary of God.
Amen.
Sylvia Schroeder
Yes. Thanks Nancy. How impatient I am sometimes when instead I need to linger in His presence.
Marilyn Krehbiel
YES!!!! What a timely encouragement from the Psalms! Yes, i so relate!!! May our days be found in HIS WORD & putting our FULL trust IN Him who never fails!!
Sylvia Schroeder
Amen sister!! Thanks Marilyn!
J.D. Wininger
How closely our world today mirrors Asaph’s. Such a timely message and blessed reminder Ms. Sylvia. Thank you ma’am.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks J.D. Asaph’s Psalms always speak to my heart! Thank you so much for your encouraging words!
Linda Lou Brucato
Good word for these days!
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks Linda! The Psalms always seem to apply don’t they?
andrew brucato
competition destroys intimacy!! especially in ministry
Sylvia Schroeder
Ouch! It certainly does, doesn’t it! Thanks Andy for reading and commenting.
Kathy
I love this sopsalm also, Sylvia. I can identify with Asaph and it’s so helpful to see our own concerns and anxieties mirrored in someone who wrote Psalms. Thank you for the lessons you drew from this Psalm.
Sylvia Schroeder
Kathy, thank you. I do love these Psalms, and find myself in them as well. Appreciate the comment!
Nancy
“When I saw________”
Fill in the blank . Comparisons are a killer and make us envious. Lord, keep my eyes on You!
Thanks Syl !!
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks Nancy! I need the reminder far too often!
Don Pahl
A favorite Psalm of mine as well, Sylvia! Thank you!
Sylvia Schroeder
Don, thank you!
Jeannie Waters
What a timely message, Sylvia. Thank you for reminding us to remember who God is and to judge situations by Truth, not feelings.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks Jeannie! I need to learn this lesson repeatedly!