EVALUATING TIME IN THE LIGHT OF ETERNITY

EVALUATING TIME IN THE LIGHT OF ETERNITY

“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.” (Psalm 73:23)

            In Psalm 73 we find a history of the Israelites – a record of God’s goodness.  In verses 1 and 2, we see Asaph acknowledges that God is and that God is good.  This will help him as he looks around.  What does he see?  In verse 3 he wonders why the ungodly are prospering and he is envious.  In verses 6 to 9, he is upset because of their pride and how they don’t give God credit.  He is even envious of their popularity (in verse 10) and dares to ask where is God (verse 11).

            And all this looking around gets him nowhere.  Rather, it causes him to look within and all he finds is turmoil and unrest (verse 13).  Will he abandon his faith?  Will he run with the crowd?  Will he hold out or just quit and say this walk with God is not worth it?

            Look at verse 16.  Theology can never substitute for a personal relationship with the Lord.  You see, your outlook determines your outcome.   Wrong evaluations lead to wrong decisions and wrong thinking leads to wrong living.  What’s needed is sharpened vision (knowing God will take care of the godless) and the sharpened insight into the destiny of the unbeliever. 

            Asaph encourages by looking ahead in verses 23 to 28.  Because he worshipped he was able to evaluate time in the light of eternity.  And as he worshipped he saw his present being taken care of – being continually kept by God (v. 23).  He saw his past and could say, “He has held me with His right hand.”  He was able to evaluate earth in the light of heaven.  Does this not tell you that if you spend time with God and if your worship is right then your evaluations will be right?  Remember God doesn’t owe us explanations.  Just trust that His Word is true and when you look at the godless you’ll thank God again for His assurance, as His child, of Heaven with Him for all eternity.  There will be no need for envy! – Pastor John Hibbard serves on the Board of Trustees and shares the Word weekly at the Colony of Mercy

Team YOU: Ruth 1-4; Proverbs 4; Luke 8:1-25

Motivations:  Study always to have Joy, for it befits not the servant of God to show before his brother or another sadness or a troubled face. Francis of Assisi

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Ephesians 4:25; Level 2: Ephesians 4:11-16

Powered Up:  Intercession is truly universal work for the Christian. No place is closed to intercessory prayer. No continent – no nation – no organization – no city – no office. There is no power on earth that can keep intercession out. Richard C. Halverson