Text: Psalm 73
Introduction
Asaph’s thoughts here are very similar to believers of every generation. If everything appears to be going right for the unsaved while the Christian struggles through life, is it worth being a believer? To the flesh this does not make any sense, but like the Psalmist we have to see things through God’s eyes. “Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end” (Psalm 73:17). The unsaved have no heart after God. They do not even consider that they ought to believe and follow Christ. They appear to prosper more than the children of God. “For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (Psalm 73:3). At times it seems like it would be better for us not to believe. “Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency” (Psalm 73:13).
It is worth it because …
We were at one time lost in sin and doomed to Hell. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) … “Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others” (Ephesians 2:3).
It is worth it because …
We were at one time under condemnation. “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18) … “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1).
It is worth it because …
We were one time carried a heavy burden of guilt. Like Christian in Pilgrim’s Progress, our burden was lifted at Calvary. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:17-21).
It is worth it because …
The world finds no satisfaction in the things it has. Depression, anxiety, and misery seem to afflict the wealthy more than the poor. King Solomon knew this all to well. He had riches beyond our dreams but none of it satisfied his soul. He tried alcohol, immorality, education and human wisdom to find the answer for the question mark in his heart. He said “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit” (Ecclesiastes 1:14). Man only finds true peace and security when he realises that God alone can satisfy his soul. “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee” (Psalm 73:25). Only then can his life have a purpose. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
It is worth it because …
This world is not our home, and nothing in it is of any eternal value. “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:14-16). Our home is with Christ, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3). We ought to thank God continuously for the wonderful salvation He has given us. When we enter our Heavenly rest, we will not consider what it cost us to serve Christ on earth. “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:17-18).
Conclusion
“God is good to His people. For although the prosperity of the wicked, and the afflictions of the righteous, tempted the Psalmist to misgivings of God's government, yet the sudden and fearful ruin of the ungodly, seen in the light of God's revelation, reassures his heart; and, chiding himself for his folly, he is led to confide renewedly in God, and celebrate His goodness and love” (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary).
The devil wants us to think it is not worth it. He shows us the world full of mirth, pleasure and possessions, but he hides the snares that trap the unsuspecting. On the other hand, the Holy Spirit points us to eternal life that is blessed with spiritual treasures in the presence of Christ. “Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11), for “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10). Is it worth being a Christian? The answer to that question depends on who we choose to believe.
© 22/1/2008