It Is Not In Vain

It Is Not In Vain "This is what the wicked are like – always carefree, they increase in wealth. Surely in vain I have kept my heart Pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence." Psalm 73:12-13 One of the great spiritual questions many people wrestle with is the issue of why good people sometimes suffer, while so many bad people prosper. It is not a new question. The scripture today is from a man named Asaph. He was one of King David's chief musicians, who wrote this psalm after struggling with this very issue. Earlier in the psalm, Asaph tells us he found himself envying the prosperity of those he identifies as "the wicked." As he looks at what appears to be the lack of fairness in the world, he becomes discouraged about trying to live a righteous life. His conclusion about those who thumb their noses at God is that "the evil conceits of their minds know no limits." And yet, he observes, "always carefree, they always increase in wealth." Consequently, he reaches the conclusion of today's text: "Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure." What does Asaph do to get his head back on straight? He steps back and looks at the "bigger" picture. He goes to "church." There he remembers some of the good things that we can't see in the visible world: God is always with us. God guides us and gives us strength. When our life ends, God takes us into His presence. As a result of getting his perspective straight, Asaph can say to God, "In this life, I don't need anything more than to be with you!" When you try to live in a way that is pleasing to God, it is not in vain. If it seems as though the "bad guys" are always winning, remember that we have a very limited perspective. As did Asaph, we need to get ourselves into a place where we can get some perspective. It can change our discouragement to joy. We can go from victims to victors. Living in a way that pleases you is never in vain. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven October 3