10.1.9 "Why Take the Trouble to Be Pure?"

"Why Take the Trouble to Be Pure?"

Isaiah 62:7-65:25
Philippians 2:19-3:3
Psalm 73:1-28
Proverbs 24:13-14

Don't get all righteous and act like that thought never passed your mind!

Psalm 73 is a Psalm of Asaph. I almost laugh as I read it because I'm like, "man, I've wondered the same thing!" Listen to this: "For I was envious of the prosperity of the proud and wicked. Yes all through life their road is smooth! They grow sleek and fat. They aren't always in trouble and plagued with problems like everyone else, so their pride sparkles like a jeweled necklace, and their clothing is woven of cruelty! These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!" (Ps 73:3-7)

There are times it doesn't seem fair to us. There are some really evil people that seem to have it made. I saw some glamorous Hollywood homes on TV. One was the home of someone who had made their millions basically shaking their fist at God. I'm like Asaph says in verse 10-12: "And so God's people are dismayed and confused, and drink it all in. 'Does God realize what is going on?' they ask. 'Look at these men of arrogance; they never have to lift a finger - theirs is a life of ease; and all the time their riches multiply.'"

Have you been there? Have you been like verse 13-14, "Have I been wasting my time? Why take the trouble to be pure? All I get out of it is trouble and woe - everyday and all day long!"

This thought process is a very tempting one to dwell on. It's also VERY dangerous. There's a lure to these thoughts that can very easily drag us into sin. Spending too much time lingering on things like this can very easily drag us into the prison of undisciplined thought. This is what Asaph thought in verse 2 & 3: "But as for me, I came so close to the edge of the cliff! My feet were slipping and I was almost gone. For I was envious of the prosperity of the proud and wicked."

Envy of the ungodly is like quicksand. the more you get into it, the more stuck you are. So, how do you get out of this thought cycle?? Yep, you guessed it. There's a "DREAM" answer: Empowered Through Biblical Training! Listen to verse 17: "Then one day I went into God's sanctuary to meditate, and thought about the future of these evil men."

As unhealthy thoughts grow in the incubator of undiscipline, they grow in strength and power over us. The only way to break this is through the power of God's Word. Time in His presence and in his house, and seeking him empowers us to see things as they really are. Look at what happens when the thoughts become aligned to God's word in the next verses: "What a slippery path they are on - suddenly God will send them sliding over the edge of the cliff and down to their destruction: an instant end to all their happiness, and eternity of terror."

THIS is reality! Listen to verse 20 - "Their present life is only a dream! They will awaken to the truth as one awakens from a dream of things that never really were!"

How horrible for those who have it "so good" right now. The ones who have prospered through evil means. For those who have grown "fat" and "comfortable" in this life without the knowledge of God. THIS is reality! If they don't acknowledge God, they will be in torment... waking up from the dream of this life to the reality of eternity!

If we stay tethered to the Word of God, we will be more aware of this consistently. It keeps our perspective in check. It humbles us to know how great God is. "When I saw this, what turmoil filled my heart! I saw myself so stupid and so ignorant; I must seem like an animal to you, O God. But even so, you love me! You are holding my right hand! You will keep on guiding me all my life with your wisdom and counsel; and afterwards receive me into the glories of heaven!" Ps 73:21-24

We've got to get this! We cannot survive without the strength of God's presence. We must take verse 26 to heart: "My health fails; my spirits droop, yet God remains! He is the strength of my heart; he is mine forever!" Hang on to God!

Realize the reality of verse 27: "But those refusing to worship God will perish, for he destroys those serving other gods."

We must take it to heart and put it into action. Here's how Asaph closes this Psalm in verse 28: "But as for me, I get as close to him as I can! I have chosen him and I will tell everyone about the wonderful ways he rescues me."

Don't get caught in the abyss of undisciplined thought and envy of the wicked and how easy their life seems. Find your strength in the Word. It will keep your perspective aligned to the true reality!


Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


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