Psalm 73 captures something that feels truly timeless. It was written by Asaph one of the musicians of David and Solomon’s time. It captures the envy we have when we see other people doing well even when they don’t live a righteous life. He starts, “1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. 3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
It is so easy to play the wishing game. I wish I had their house. I wish I had their money. I wish my kids behaved the way their kids behaved. It is so easy to get sucked into thinking like this when we only get a glimpse. We start thinking like Asaph confesses in verse 13, “13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence.14 All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments.
When we see someone who appears to have the life we want, it’s easy to question why we put up with living the life we’ve been called to. When we see people get away with crimes or see that some people never face the consequences of their actions, we wonder if we should leave it all behind and just jump down in the mud with them.
However, we realize, as Asaph did, (v.21) “when my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant…” It’s easy to fall into the mindset of making worldly pleasures our priority. But you have been called to keep your focus on things that are eternal. God only looks at you and your heart, God isn’t comparing you to anyone else.
You were not called to live any other life but your own. Keep your eyes on things that last. Asaph closes his Psalm with these words, “28 But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;”
I hope we can do the same.