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WHOM HAVE I BUT THEE
God's Recipe for Success in Old Age (2)
PSALM 73
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SCRIPTURE READING IN ENGLISH
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1 A Psalm of Asaph.
Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.
When we are young, we desire the things of the world. Often we forget our Creator. We strive for the accolades of this world. The psalmist confessed he seemed to lose out to the cunning skills of the worldlings. The wicked seemed always more prosperous. They seemed to win with their crooked ways. He was even envious of them until God showed him the destruction of the worldly wise.
In the time of old age when our body gradually weakens, we lose all earthly desires. Even our appetite deteriorate, our longing to see places wanes, our movement becomes more and more limited. Our health degenerates rapidly. The psalmist's testimony is that his desire for His God increases. As earthly joys depart, heavenly joy increases more and more. He reached a point in his life when his entire desire is to be in the presence of His God always.
To be in the presence of God is the best state of life. Although the heart is weak, but God gives to his heart the strength needed each day and he is thankful. There is none who is able to wipe away his tears but God. There is none who is able to comfort his heart but God. Though his flesh and heart gradually weakens but God is the strength of his heart and his blessing both now and forevermore. For he knew in his heart that he is drawing closer and closer to the presence of God until one day, he shall be crowned with the glory of God to be in His presence forever and ever.
This is the most blessed state of man, the redeemed man with God sustaining and upholding him. There is that moment by moment dependence that he testified is most blessed. This is the great privilege of old age.
(1) Keep our hearts clean (v 1-16 )
- The Prosperity of the Wicked Stumbles Me (v 1-10 )
- The Afflictions of the Godly Baffles Me (v 11-16 )
(2) Keep focus on His Word (v 17-22 )
- But the Lord in His mercy enlightens me - I discovered the misery of the wicked as revealed in His Word (v 17-22 )
(3) He is the strength of our heart and our everlasting inheritance (v 23-28 )
- Thank God I continue to abide in His presence (v 23-28 )
Outline
(1) The Prosperity of the Wicked Stumbles Me (v 1-10 )
a. I envied them (v 1-3 )
b. Their pride and strength seemed to receive divine consent (v 4-7 )
c. They even blasphemed against God and seemed to get away without judgment (v 8-9 )
d. God's people greatly oppressed by the wicked (v 10 )
(2) The Afflictions of the Godly Baffles Me (v 11-16 )
a. The godly is discouraged by reason of their oppression crying out "Where is God?" (v 11 )
b. The ungodly continues to prosper (v 12 )
c. The godliness of the godly seemed to bring them no where (v 13 )
d. The godly continues to be chastened in their sore affliction (v 14 )
e. I dare not murmur against God lest the godly be stumbled (v 15 )
f. Yet the sight of God's afflicted people brings pain to my heart (v 16 )
(3) But the Lord in His mercy enlightens me - I discovered the misery of the wicked as revealed in His Word (v 17-22 )
(4) Thank God I continue to abide in His presence (v 23-28 )
a. I abide in God and He upholds me (v 23 )
b. By guiding me with His counsel until I arrive in heaven (v 24 )
c. I desire my God more than anything else (v 25 )
d. Though my body and heart gradually weakens, God shall be the strength of my heart and my inheritance in eternity (v 26 )
e. All who wander from God shall perish without God (v 27 )
f. But I draw near to Him and put my faith in Him and testify of His goodness in my life (v 28 )
Discussion Questions
(1) How is your daily devotion?
(2) The psalmist says "My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart." (v 26 ) How do you prepare yourself to have such strong faith in old age?
(3) How do you stay spiritually strong as the body gets weaker? Especially we are house-bound or in hospital, how did you maintain a close walk with God?