Jump Start # 1781

Psalms 73:3 “For I was envious of the arrogant as I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”

We were off to the orchestra the other evening. This was a special performance. The place was packed. Nearly every seat filled. The orchestra wasn’t the main feature. They were playing backup to the pop band America. America—that gave us hits such as Daisy Jane, Tin Man, Sister Golden Hair, All the lonely people, A horse with no name, Ventura Highway—that America. Two of the original three members were highlighting the show. The third member quit decades ago and has since died. I first saw this group in the mid– 70’s. Back then, their hair was long and their voices strong. At this show, their hair was gray and their voices struggled some. But they could play well. It was a great show.

The orchestra was in the background and America and their band was at the front of the stage. There were moments and certain songs where the orchestra sat and watched while only the band played. It was here that I saw an interesting contrast. Our verse today brings out a contrast as well.

The orchestra is made up of serious musicians who have dedicated themselves to studying music. Most have been to the best schools in the world to learn their art. They play well. We have heard them many times now. The group America, was formed by three high school army brats living in London because their dads were stationed there. They self taught themselves how to play the guitars by listening to records. The serious musicians were watching these aging rock ‘n rollers hold a crowd spell bound. The orchestra couldn’t pack a crowd like that if they were playing Mozart or Beethoven. The orchestra has not made millions of dollars like the band has. One of the band lead singers owns two homes—one here in the states and one in another country. I doubt any of the orchestra members owned two homes, especially in another country. I wonder if the members of the orchestra thought the band was playing shallow and simple songs compared to what they normally played. They may have thought why are people flocking to over 100 shows a year that these old guys are still preforming and the great songs, that the orchestra plays, no one really cares about anymore. What a contrast.

Life is like that. A teacher in college may squeak by on a low income, yet the football or basketball coach makes millions. What a contrast.

In our verse today. Written by Asaph, a righteous man, who is trying to do what is right doesn’t understand why the wicked are prospering. He notices that. The wicked are fat. The wicked do not have pains. The wicked are violent. The wicked blasts profane and arrogant words, even to God. And, there is the righteous man, struggling. It doesn’t make sense. It’s not right. It so bothered him, that twice in this chapter he confesses that his foot nearly slipped. He nearly threw in the towel. He nearly gave up on his faith. What’s it doing for him? Where is it getting him?

That same picture is painted today. Here we are trying to please God and blasting over the airwaves in song and movies are the profane who are immodest in dress and immoral in behavior. They are indecent, irreverent, and arrogant about the choices they make. They flaunt ungodliness before the public and dare any to oppose them. They are rich. They are selfish. And it just doesn’t seem right. For many young hearts, it’s enough to pull them to that side. They toss the towel in on God and join the ranks of the godless. Money. Fame. Riches. It’s all there. While the righteous huddle in church buildings, clinging to their faith, singing hymns and trying to convince each other that they need to keep on.

Contrasts—life is full of them. What helped Asaph was going to the sanctuary of God. It was here that he saw the end of the wicked. The “end” has to be more than their death. Earlier he complained that there is no pains in the death of these proud and arrogant ones. So, the end is more than their death. The end must imply what happens when they are before God. Solomon warned young people to follow the impulses of your heart, yet know that God will bring you to judgment. Standing before God is not exclusively a New Testament concept. When Adam and Eve sinned, God punished them. When the sons of Aaron sinned, God punished them. The book of Proverbs often mentions the trouble awaiting those who ignore God. Even in Psalms, the one who proclaims that there is no God, is declared to be a fool. That very word, fool, was used to describe the rich farmer who planned to tear down his barns and build larger barns. He never gave a thought to God or his eternity.

In the sanctuary, Asaph saw the end of the wicked. The riches. The fame. The arrogant attitudes. The know-it-all spirit all came crashing down when they stand before God. It was at that moment, too late to do anything about it, that they realized that Asaph had chosen the right path in life. It was then that they realized the massive mistakes and choices that they have made. They filled their lives with stuff and ignored God completely. In the eternal, He will ignore them. They had opportunity to do good with their riches. They had chances to help others. But they didn’t.

Leaving the sanctuary, Asaph must have felt good about his faith and his walk with the Lord. Maybe he didn’t have two nickels to rub together, that’s ok, he has God. Maybe he never travelled like the jet set, that’s ok, someday he’ll be in God’s home. Instead of envying the wicked, he must have seen that they were to be pitied. How sad to have so much, but to be so empty. All the stuff money buys, won’t help a soul when it comes time to leave this place.

Today, you’ll see contrasts. It may even take your breath away. It might even cause you to envy. But get down to the church house, or open your Bible, or drop to your knees and remember what this is all about. Get your focus. Keep your eyes upon the Lord.

Asaph ends Ps 73 with these words, “But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge”. But as for me—similar words to what Joshua declared, when he said, “as for me and my house, will serve the Lord.”

The nearness of God is my good. Well said, Asaph. Well believed.

Roger