WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.220 Have you ever had buyer's remorse? 00:00:06.140 --> 00:00:10.060 Buyer's remorse is walking away from a store thinking, 00:00:10.439 --> 00:00:13.460 I'm not sure if that purchase was worth it. 00:00:14.980 --> 00:00:17.280 I recently walked into a coffee shop, 00:00:18.080 --> 00:00:20.879 and I saw that they had nitro cold brew coffee. 00:00:21.699 --> 00:00:23.620 And I am a coffee fan, I like coffee, 00:00:23.699 --> 00:00:27.359 but I had not as of yet tried nitro cold brew coffee, 00:00:27.359 --> 00:00:29.019 which is apparently becoming quite a thing. 00:00:29.599 --> 00:00:31.980 So I was like, okay, I should try this. 00:00:32.659 --> 00:00:36.539 And I read the menu board, and I thought it said it was $3. 00:00:36.979 --> 00:00:40.159 So I was like, okay, $3, just like another cup of coffee, just cold, 00:00:40.299 --> 00:00:41.379 and all right, I'll give it a shot. 00:00:42.019 --> 00:00:44.920 And the baristas were even nice enough to let me try a little sample 00:00:44.920 --> 00:00:45.920 to make sure I liked it. 00:00:46.060 --> 00:00:50.320 And when I did, my taste buds said, I don't know. 00:00:51.359 --> 00:00:53.460 That's a little too acidic for our liking. 00:00:54.060 --> 00:00:55.100 I don't know if you're going to like that. 00:00:55.100 --> 00:00:57.840 But then the social side of my brain kicked in and said, 00:00:57.840 --> 00:00:59.780 well, these baristas are really nice, 00:00:59.880 --> 00:01:02.620 and they're really enthusiastic about this nitro cold brew coffee. 00:01:02.940 --> 00:01:05.260 And it would be kind of weird to just kind of like take a sample 00:01:05.260 --> 00:01:06.359 and then say no thanks. 00:01:06.540 --> 00:01:08.180 So I bought the coffee. 00:01:09.560 --> 00:01:10.800 And when the barista rang me up, 00:01:10.799 --> 00:01:15.399 and the cash register said something a lot more than $3. 00:01:18.719 --> 00:01:22.579 Now, I'm sure there are many of you out there who would gladly pay whatever 00:01:22.579 --> 00:01:24.000 for nitro cold brew coffee. 00:01:24.099 --> 00:01:29.799 But for me, I kind of walked away with this acidic taste of buyer's remorse in my mouth. 00:01:30.400 --> 00:01:32.759 And I was like, I don't know if that was worth it. 00:01:33.140 --> 00:01:34.640 I think I could have made a better choice. 00:01:34.640 --> 00:01:39.739 Just a minute ago, our brother Terry read Psalm 73. 00:01:40.460 --> 00:01:45.980 And Psalm 73 was written by a man who is not doubting his recent coffee purchase, 00:01:46.200 --> 00:01:47.239 whether that was worth it. 00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:53.180 He's doubting whether God is worth putting his trust in. 00:01:53.180 --> 00:01:57.960 Asaph is the author of Psalm 73, 00:01:58.260 --> 00:02:01.460 and he tells us a story, essentially, in this psalm 00:02:01.460 --> 00:02:07.860 of wondering whether being faithful to God is actually worth it in the end, 00:02:08.480 --> 00:02:09.920 whether there's a better choice. 00:02:11.600 --> 00:02:16.120 He recounts how he was tempted to think that living life on his terms 00:02:16.120 --> 00:02:19.879 would actually be better than living life on God's terms. 00:02:19.879 --> 00:02:24.699 And I'm guessing that I'm not the only one in the room 00:02:24.699 --> 00:02:27.460 who has had that question pop up in my mind. 00:02:28.419 --> 00:02:33.979 I think we often wonder, is this whole following Jesus thing worth it? 00:02:35.000 --> 00:02:39.079 Is there a better choice to make, especially when we look around us 00:02:39.079 --> 00:02:43.139 and we see possible alternatives to following Jesus? 00:02:44.500 --> 00:02:48.699 Well, let's jump in and let's see if this psalm for the helping 00:02:48.699 --> 00:02:53.319 is helpful for us to answer the question, is it worth it? 00:02:54.239 --> 00:02:58.419 To guide us through this psalm, I'm going to pause on each of the five stages 00:02:58.419 --> 00:03:01.280 of Asaph's journey of doubt. 00:03:02.339 --> 00:03:04.879 And I'm going to hold off on giving us kind of the main point 00:03:04.879 --> 00:03:07.060 until the end of those five stages. 00:03:07.839 --> 00:03:10.079 And I think by then it will be abundantly clear 00:03:10.079 --> 00:03:13.039 what this whole psalm is about and what the answer to the question is. 00:03:13.039 --> 00:03:16.319 And then after that, I'm going to unpack the main point 00:03:16.319 --> 00:03:23.599 with just a few concrete lessons that we can respond well to from God's word. 00:03:23.699 --> 00:03:28.579 So let's look at the first stage of Asaph's journey in verse 1. 00:03:28.759 --> 00:03:30.560 And the first stage is conviction. 00:03:31.459 --> 00:03:32.039 Conviction. 00:03:32.819 --> 00:03:33.759 Look at verse 1. 00:03:33.759 --> 00:03:44.639 So Asaph begins this little journey of his with a conviction. 00:03:44.919 --> 00:03:49.699 It's a belief that he holds to be true, that God is good. 00:03:50.939 --> 00:03:53.739 It's a theological truth that he stakes his claim on. 00:03:53.840 --> 00:03:57.539 And not just that God is good, but God has aimed his goodness 00:03:57.539 --> 00:04:01.560 at his people, Israel, his covenant people. 00:04:01.560 --> 00:04:05.580 But then he modifies it slightly at the second part of the verse. 00:04:05.640 --> 00:04:06.199 Did you see that? 00:04:06.599 --> 00:04:09.340 To those who are pure in heart. 00:04:09.460 --> 00:04:12.000 He clarifies what he means by Israel. 00:04:12.680 --> 00:04:15.879 He's not talking about every single Israelite 00:04:15.879 --> 00:04:18.100 in the population of the nation of Israel. 00:04:18.379 --> 00:04:23.980 He's talking about those who are the faithful covenant members of Israel. 00:04:24.600 --> 00:04:26.959 Those who are true Israel. 00:04:27.079 --> 00:04:28.980 Who are seeking to keep God's covenant. 00:04:28.980 --> 00:04:31.259 Who are seeking to obey his commands. 00:04:31.560 --> 00:04:34.240 And to remain faithful to Yahweh. 00:04:35.000 --> 00:04:37.379 There are plenty of Israelites who were not doing that. 00:04:37.459 --> 00:04:39.519 They might have given God lip service. 00:04:39.699 --> 00:04:42.920 But they were actually not following God. 00:04:42.959 --> 00:04:44.519 As we're going to see here in a moment. 00:04:45.040 --> 00:04:46.680 So in other words, Asaph's conviction. 00:04:47.240 --> 00:04:48.920 His core belief about God. 00:04:49.040 --> 00:04:52.040 Is that God is faithful to his faithful ones. 00:04:52.660 --> 00:04:55.620 God is good to those who trust in him. 00:04:55.620 --> 00:04:57.459 And this is true. 00:04:58.079 --> 00:04:59.860 For example, Psalm 84 11. 00:04:59.860 --> 00:05:04.120 No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. 00:05:04.199 --> 00:05:06.759 Other parts of scripture testify to this conviction. 00:05:07.180 --> 00:05:08.399 To this truth about God. 00:05:08.800 --> 00:05:12.019 He is good to the pure in heart. 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.680 He's faithful. 00:05:12.840 --> 00:05:14.579 And that's Asaph's starting place. 00:05:14.939 --> 00:05:20.699 And it's going to kind of be the shadow that casts itself over the rest of the psalm. 00:05:20.699 --> 00:05:23.920 And it's about also to get challenged. 00:05:24.920 --> 00:05:26.459 So that's stage one. 00:05:26.719 --> 00:05:27.379 His conviction. 00:05:27.560 --> 00:05:28.139 Stage two. 00:05:28.740 --> 00:05:30.920 Is Asaph's confusion. 00:05:31.759 --> 00:05:34.819 This is a longer and more painful stage. 00:05:35.939 --> 00:05:36.839 Asaph's confusion. 00:05:36.959 --> 00:05:39.120 Look at verses 2 through 14. 00:05:40.079 --> 00:05:41.699 In verses 2 and 3. 00:05:42.419 --> 00:05:44.699 Asaph tells us what caused his confusion. 00:05:45.480 --> 00:05:47.779 He was seeing something. 00:05:47.779 --> 00:05:48.799 Verse 3. 00:05:49.159 --> 00:05:54.719 For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 00:05:55.799 --> 00:06:00.319 Asaph was observing a disquieting phenomenon. 00:06:01.500 --> 00:06:04.019 He was seeing the wicked prosper. 00:06:05.779 --> 00:06:06.979 Remember Asaph's conviction. 00:06:07.659 --> 00:06:08.259 We just read. 00:06:09.119 --> 00:06:11.379 God is good to the pure in heart. 00:06:12.179 --> 00:06:16.899 But now what he sees is that God is apparently being good to the wicked. 00:06:17.779 --> 00:06:20.000 To those who are not pure in heart. 00:06:20.199 --> 00:06:21.539 And so his reality. 00:06:21.779 --> 00:06:22.479 His perception. 00:06:23.059 --> 00:06:26.119 Is now challenging his core belief. 00:06:26.459 --> 00:06:27.239 Core conviction. 00:06:27.439 --> 00:06:29.779 And that is causing all sorts of turmoil in Asaph. 00:06:30.919 --> 00:06:33.759 His core belief about God's goodness is being challenged. 00:06:33.759 --> 00:06:35.659 Because he is seeing proud. 00:06:36.019 --> 00:06:36.559 Boastful. 00:06:36.919 --> 00:06:37.639 Self-seeking. 00:06:37.839 --> 00:06:38.659 Immoral people. 00:06:39.039 --> 00:06:41.079 Doing just fine in life. 00:06:42.219 --> 00:06:44.559 In fact that word translated prosperity. 00:06:44.559 --> 00:06:45.459 In our Bibles. 00:06:45.639 --> 00:06:47.059 Is the Hebrew word shalom. 00:06:47.800 --> 00:06:50.899 And shalom is a really important theological word in the Bible. 00:06:51.240 --> 00:06:58.180 It points to the wholeness and the harmony of all those who put their trust in God. 00:06:58.259 --> 00:07:00.459 Of those who come under God's blessing. 00:07:01.360 --> 00:07:04.720 And so it seems that God is blessing the wicked. 00:07:06.480 --> 00:07:09.079 And he's getting really confused. 00:07:09.180 --> 00:07:09.980 He's getting disoriented. 00:07:09.980 --> 00:07:12.259 These people who have no regard for God. 00:07:12.360 --> 00:07:13.340 No regard for others. 00:07:13.600 --> 00:07:15.660 They're experiencing a sense of well-being. 00:07:15.860 --> 00:07:17.160 And wholeness in their lives. 00:07:17.180 --> 00:07:18.120 Or at least they seem to be. 00:07:18.480 --> 00:07:20.420 And according to Asaph's conviction. 00:07:20.620 --> 00:07:21.560 That should not be. 00:07:22.700 --> 00:07:23.920 And if we look at verse 2. 00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:25.480 That is causing Asaph to stumble. 00:07:26.439 --> 00:07:27.900 His feet are about to slip. 00:07:28.540 --> 00:07:29.879 He is losing his footing. 00:07:29.980 --> 00:07:31.080 He's getting disoriented. 00:07:31.319 --> 00:07:33.160 And he's not sure what to do next. 00:07:33.160 --> 00:07:40.800 And that confusion is manifesting itself in a particular sin attitude of his heart. 00:07:41.439 --> 00:07:41.740 Envy. 00:07:41.740 --> 00:07:47.699 He's starting to think that being faithful to God just isn't worth it. 00:07:47.819 --> 00:07:49.180 And I might as well be like those guys. 00:07:51.040 --> 00:07:51.980 Why not too? 00:07:52.079 --> 00:07:53.220 Look at verses 4 and 5. 00:07:53.280 --> 00:07:54.160 These guys have got it made. 00:07:54.460 --> 00:07:59.199 Asaph is describing them as living healthy, pain-free, and stress-free lives. 00:07:59.300 --> 00:08:00.939 Nothing bad ever happens to them. 00:08:01.000 --> 00:08:03.900 They don't suffer any illness or bodily ailment. 00:08:03.900 --> 00:08:07.000 They walk around breathing deeply out of both nostrils. 00:08:07.100 --> 00:08:08.040 Their heads held high. 00:08:08.160 --> 00:08:09.920 Feeling strong and confident about life. 00:08:09.920 --> 00:08:12.020 Who wouldn't want that kind of life? 00:08:13.300 --> 00:08:15.560 But as Asaph goes on to describe the wicked. 00:08:16.140 --> 00:08:18.920 It's not just that they're seemingly prospering. 00:08:19.780 --> 00:08:21.259 That prosperity. 00:08:21.600 --> 00:08:24.240 That absence of suffering and hardship in their lives. 00:08:24.360 --> 00:08:27.500 Is encouraging their already puffed up egos. 00:08:29.060 --> 00:08:32.060 They assume that their success and their health and their well-being. 00:08:32.220 --> 00:08:33.639 Is now something of their own making. 00:08:34.220 --> 00:08:35.720 And something that they deserve. 00:08:36.620 --> 00:08:37.759 Therefore, verse 6. 00:08:38.639 --> 00:08:39.120 Sorry. 00:08:39.120 --> 00:08:40.299 Therefore, verse 6. 00:08:40.620 --> 00:08:41.879 Pride is their necklace. 00:08:42.100 --> 00:08:43.600 Violence covers them as a garment. 00:08:44.560 --> 00:08:48.919 So pride is the defining characteristic of their hearts. 00:08:49.720 --> 00:08:51.919 And their internal thoughts in verse 7. 00:08:52.560 --> 00:08:53.240 Their speech. 00:08:53.560 --> 00:08:54.060 Verse 8. 00:08:54.179 --> 00:08:54.759 Their behavior. 00:08:54.960 --> 00:08:55.500 Verse 6. 00:08:55.899 --> 00:08:56.720 It's all arrogant. 00:08:56.960 --> 00:08:58.259 It's destructive and foolish. 00:08:59.000 --> 00:08:59.840 And above all. 00:09:00.600 --> 00:09:02.519 They are functional atheists. 00:09:02.519 --> 00:09:06.620 They might be members of the Israelite nation. 00:09:06.740 --> 00:09:08.120 But they don't regard God. 00:09:08.179 --> 00:09:08.840 Look at verse 11. 00:09:09.199 --> 00:09:09.939 How can God know? 00:09:10.559 --> 00:09:11.860 There's their knowledge in the Most High. 00:09:14.019 --> 00:09:14.939 And tragically. 00:09:15.039 --> 00:09:16.079 As we see in verse 10. 00:09:16.559 --> 00:09:18.819 It seems that other members of the Israelite community. 00:09:19.079 --> 00:09:20.279 Are looking up to them. 00:09:20.840 --> 00:09:22.600 And joining their parade. 00:09:22.600 --> 00:09:23.939 Of self-importance. 00:09:24.079 --> 00:09:24.759 And arrogance. 00:09:24.759 --> 00:09:28.700 And so not only are they living this way themselves. 00:09:28.840 --> 00:09:31.299 But they're getting groupies to come along with them. 00:09:31.299 --> 00:09:35.179 And as we see. 00:09:35.299 --> 00:09:36.759 He sums it up in verse 12. 00:09:37.019 --> 00:09:37.419 Behold. 00:09:38.039 --> 00:09:38.419 Look. 00:09:39.279 --> 00:09:40.000 These are the wicked. 00:09:40.599 --> 00:09:41.579 Always at ease. 00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:43.079 They increase in riches. 00:09:44.519 --> 00:09:46.359 And look what that does to poor Asaph. 00:09:46.419 --> 00:09:47.799 In verses 13 and 14. 00:09:49.379 --> 00:09:50.699 All in vain. 00:09:51.359 --> 00:09:52.899 I have kept my heart clean. 00:09:53.299 --> 00:09:54.879 And washed my hands in innocence. 00:09:54.879 --> 00:09:56.359 For all the day long. 00:09:56.559 --> 00:09:57.599 I have been stricken. 00:09:57.839 --> 00:09:58.839 And rebuked. 00:09:59.059 --> 00:09:59.959 Every morning. 00:10:00.059 --> 00:10:00.839 What did he just say? 00:10:00.840 --> 00:10:03.000 About the wicked in verse 5. 00:10:03.100 --> 00:10:04.180 They are not stricken. 00:10:04.259 --> 00:10:06.180 And then he describes himself as being stricken. 00:10:09.000 --> 00:10:10.440 You can just picture Asaph. 00:10:10.519 --> 00:10:11.740 With his head in his hands here. 00:10:12.120 --> 00:10:13.639 This is the lowest point. 00:10:14.040 --> 00:10:15.700 That he gets to in the Psalms. 00:10:16.120 --> 00:10:17.040 I might as well. 00:10:17.300 --> 00:10:18.980 Have not been pure. 00:10:19.259 --> 00:10:19.920 I might as well. 00:10:20.019 --> 00:10:21.280 Have not been faithful to God. 00:10:21.340 --> 00:10:22.680 Because these guys are doing well. 00:10:22.820 --> 00:10:23.440 And I'm not. 00:10:23.960 --> 00:10:24.620 Notice that. 00:10:24.620 --> 00:10:26.340 That purity of heart language. 00:10:26.460 --> 00:10:27.920 It brings us right back to his conviction. 00:10:28.160 --> 00:10:28.740 From verse 1. 00:10:28.740 --> 00:10:31.600 Why did I keep my heart pure? 00:10:32.659 --> 00:10:33.779 God's not being good to me. 00:10:34.139 --> 00:10:34.980 That was my conviction. 00:10:35.080 --> 00:10:36.879 That God is going to be good to those who are pure in heart. 00:10:36.919 --> 00:10:38.000 And he's not doing that for me. 00:10:41.060 --> 00:10:44.279 And because it's not just that the wicked are experiencing shalom. 00:10:44.440 --> 00:10:46.519 It's because he is not experiencing shalom. 00:10:46.519 --> 00:10:50.679 They should be the ones stricken and rebuked. 00:10:51.240 --> 00:10:53.120 But I'm the one being stricken and rebuked. 00:10:53.179 --> 00:10:54.179 So God what's going on? 00:10:57.179 --> 00:11:01.279 I'm guessing I'm not the only one in the room who can relate to Asaph's confusion. 00:11:03.100 --> 00:11:04.159 When I was in high school. 00:11:04.319 --> 00:11:05.100 I was a good kid. 00:11:06.220 --> 00:11:07.379 I didn't get into trouble. 00:11:08.100 --> 00:11:10.079 I was growing in my relationship with God. 00:11:10.740 --> 00:11:13.039 I was seeking to be faithful and obedient to my parents. 00:11:13.039 --> 00:11:13.120 Yes. 00:11:14.019 --> 00:11:14.339 But. 00:11:14.980 --> 00:11:15.919 How does the saying go? 00:11:16.199 --> 00:11:18.799 Nice guys finish last. 00:11:19.659 --> 00:11:21.839 There are plenty of these other guys. 00:11:22.319 --> 00:11:23.799 Who seem to have all the fun. 00:11:23.939 --> 00:11:24.620 And all the looks. 00:11:24.759 --> 00:11:26.139 And all the glory on the field. 00:11:26.219 --> 00:11:27.059 And all the swagger. 00:11:27.319 --> 00:11:29.539 And of course they had all the girls attention too. 00:11:30.860 --> 00:11:32.759 So it was easy for me to be confused. 00:11:33.000 --> 00:11:33.740 And to be envious. 00:11:34.980 --> 00:11:37.219 It seemed like all the good things were happening to these guys. 00:11:37.439 --> 00:11:38.360 And not to me. 00:11:38.419 --> 00:11:39.379 I was trying to be good. 00:11:39.379 --> 00:11:43.379 And what happens in high school as we know. 00:11:43.559 --> 00:11:45.820 Is just a microcosm of what happens in the real world. 00:11:45.939 --> 00:11:46.059 Right? 00:11:47.419 --> 00:11:50.960 Maybe it's the foul mouthed and brown nosing co-worker of yours. 00:11:51.100 --> 00:11:52.980 That got the promotion instead of you. 00:11:54.240 --> 00:11:56.379 Or it's the friend on social media. 00:11:56.379 --> 00:11:58.639 Who is not living for the Lord. 00:11:58.820 --> 00:12:00.519 But man she sure looks good. 00:12:00.620 --> 00:12:02.939 And her family always looks happy. 00:12:02.940 --> 00:12:08.060 Or it's perhaps that neighbor who just bought a new car again. 00:12:08.860 --> 00:12:11.660 And he's the guy who's constantly saying negative stuff. 00:12:12.940 --> 00:12:14.180 Or it's the politicians. 00:12:14.500 --> 00:12:15.140 The millionaires. 00:12:15.360 --> 00:12:18.280 The celebrities that our culture seems to be so obsessed with. 00:12:18.720 --> 00:12:21.220 And they obviously don't fear God with their lives. 00:12:21.660 --> 00:12:24.140 And they're often brazenly opposed to God. 00:12:24.680 --> 00:12:26.400 And yet their lives seem to be pleasant. 00:12:26.640 --> 00:12:27.240 And prosperous. 00:12:27.620 --> 00:12:28.540 And stress free. 00:12:28.539 --> 00:12:32.539 It can make us wonder whether being faithful to God. 00:12:32.659 --> 00:12:33.899 And keeping our hearts pure. 00:12:34.579 --> 00:12:35.759 Is worth it. 00:12:36.719 --> 00:12:38.779 Because those who don't fear God. 00:12:38.879 --> 00:12:41.740 Seem to be experiencing a good life. 00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:46.019 And we seem to be seemingly always surrounded by trouble. 00:12:47.839 --> 00:12:50.559 Well we certainly feel Asaph's confusion. 00:12:51.279 --> 00:12:52.879 At the prosperity of the wicked. 00:12:53.059 --> 00:12:56.360 Let's move to the third stage of his journey. 00:12:56.740 --> 00:12:57.480 Don't get too excited. 00:12:57.639 --> 00:12:58.439 I'm not quite there yet. 00:12:58.860 --> 00:13:01.000 Let's move to the third stage of his journey. 00:13:01.939 --> 00:13:02.759 We've seen this conviction. 00:13:02.879 --> 00:13:03.679 We've seen this confusion. 00:13:03.839 --> 00:13:05.039 Here comes clarity. 00:13:05.779 --> 00:13:07.679 Verses 15 to 20. 00:13:08.599 --> 00:13:11.159 There's a shift that happens in verses 15. 00:13:13.500 --> 00:13:17.679 Asaph tells us that he would have been acting treacherously to God's people. 00:13:18.179 --> 00:13:20.120 If he had taken his feelings. 00:13:20.279 --> 00:13:20.740 His vent. 00:13:20.919 --> 00:13:22.639 And vented them out loud. 00:13:23.299 --> 00:13:26.179 Because he's hinting that he was wrong. 00:13:26.179 --> 00:13:29.599 And he's about to tell us in verses 16 to 20. 00:13:29.600 --> 00:13:31.519 Why he was wrong. 00:13:32.060 --> 00:13:35.860 Asaph is banging his head against the wall in verse 16. 00:13:36.060 --> 00:13:37.620 When I thought to understand this. 00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:39.740 It seemed to me to be a wearisome task. 00:13:41.019 --> 00:13:41.500 Until. 00:13:41.500 --> 00:13:44.440 Look at that beautiful word at the beginning of verse 17. 00:13:44.960 --> 00:13:45.399 Until. 00:13:46.960 --> 00:13:48.759 He went into God's sanctuary. 00:13:49.879 --> 00:13:51.899 This is the turning point of the psalm. 00:13:52.820 --> 00:13:54.019 Asaph turns a corner here. 00:13:54.019 --> 00:13:57.379 He enters God's holy dwelling place. 00:13:57.480 --> 00:13:58.519 He enters the tabernacle. 00:13:59.720 --> 00:14:02.740 It's the tent where God's presence was manifested. 00:14:03.439 --> 00:14:05.419 To the Israelites in the ark of the covenant. 00:14:05.579 --> 00:14:07.139 And he came to meet with God. 00:14:07.919 --> 00:14:08.539 To pray. 00:14:08.980 --> 00:14:10.919 To purposefully seek God's face. 00:14:11.079 --> 00:14:13.480 To submit his own turmoil. 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:14.519 And his thoughts. 00:14:14.620 --> 00:14:15.779 And his will to God. 00:14:16.159 --> 00:14:18.220 And just cast the confusion onto him. 00:14:19.120 --> 00:14:20.019 That's what he's doing there. 00:14:20.019 --> 00:14:22.360 And as he trained his thoughts on God. 00:14:22.659 --> 00:14:24.579 And he beheld God's majesty. 00:14:25.100 --> 00:14:26.379 And his eternal power. 00:14:26.559 --> 00:14:27.179 And his wisdom. 00:14:27.399 --> 00:14:28.079 And his glory. 00:14:28.480 --> 00:14:30.899 Asaph's perspective changes. 00:14:31.939 --> 00:14:33.379 He is granted clarity. 00:14:34.379 --> 00:14:35.819 What kind of clarity? 00:14:36.720 --> 00:14:38.579 Clarity about God's goodness. 00:14:40.019 --> 00:14:40.659 Specifically. 00:14:40.679 --> 00:14:43.439 God's good justice. 00:14:44.519 --> 00:14:45.860 Look at verse 18. 00:14:47.220 --> 00:14:49.779 Truly you set them in slippery places. 00:14:49.779 --> 00:14:52.159 You make them fall to ruin. 00:14:53.240 --> 00:14:54.860 I love that word truly. 00:14:55.039 --> 00:14:57.039 It's the same word way back in verse 1. 00:14:57.379 --> 00:14:59.100 That introduces Asaph's conviction. 00:14:59.279 --> 00:15:01.019 That God is good to his faithful ones. 00:15:01.839 --> 00:15:03.379 And now here's reality. 00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:06.100 And it's in our face again. 00:15:07.159 --> 00:15:09.860 Asaph is telling us what reality is. 00:15:10.379 --> 00:15:10.899 Truly. 00:15:11.439 --> 00:15:12.779 This is the way things are. 00:15:13.899 --> 00:15:16.819 And it's reality not as Asaph was seeing it. 00:15:16.819 --> 00:15:19.159 As his perception was showing him before. 00:15:19.159 --> 00:15:21.500 No it's reality as it truly is. 00:15:21.579 --> 00:15:22.839 As God sees it. 00:15:23.179 --> 00:15:24.980 It's a God eye view. 00:15:26.439 --> 00:15:27.620 God is just. 00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:33.600 He will bring the wicked and the arrogant to justice. 00:15:33.939 --> 00:15:35.919 He will set them in the slippery places. 00:15:36.179 --> 00:15:38.500 And they will fall before they even know what's happening. 00:15:38.500 --> 00:15:40.480 In verse 19. 00:15:40.480 --> 00:15:43.679 Asaph sees their fall will be sudden and terrible. 00:15:44.679 --> 00:15:46.659 He might have been envying the wicked before. 00:15:46.759 --> 00:15:48.159 He's definitely not envying them now. 00:15:48.980 --> 00:15:52.860 And they will fall terribly because verse 20 shows us they're nothing to God. 00:15:53.500 --> 00:15:53.940 Nothing. 00:15:55.100 --> 00:15:57.080 God is infinitely greater than they are. 00:15:57.840 --> 00:16:01.639 Asaph sees the wicked as they truly are in comparison to God. 00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:03.179 When God is finished with them. 00:16:03.419 --> 00:16:04.519 They'll be like a dream. 00:16:05.179 --> 00:16:06.679 Like a dream when one awakes. 00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:07.120 Oh Lord. 00:16:07.199 --> 00:16:08.639 When you rouse yourself. 00:16:08.779 --> 00:16:10.460 You will despise them as phantoms. 00:16:10.580 --> 00:16:10.840 The wicked. 00:16:11.059 --> 00:16:11.480 What wicked? 00:16:14.259 --> 00:16:16.699 Jeffrey Epstein has been in the news a lot recently. 00:16:18.039 --> 00:16:18.779 And tragically. 00:16:18.919 --> 00:16:21.539 He seems to have been the classic modern example. 00:16:22.100 --> 00:16:23.199 Of Psalm 73. 00:16:23.200 --> 00:16:26.860 His self-promoting pride. 00:16:27.080 --> 00:16:30.920 His life was characterized by greed. 00:16:31.680 --> 00:16:33.700 And appetite for wealth and sex. 00:16:34.700 --> 00:16:37.280 And he rode the wave of wealth and worldly pleasure. 00:16:37.480 --> 00:16:40.460 And exploited many for his own selfish ends. 00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:42.780 And yet in God's justice. 00:16:43.340 --> 00:16:45.860 God brought him to a sudden and tragic end. 00:16:46.840 --> 00:16:48.080 This isn't just in Bible times. 00:16:48.440 --> 00:16:49.020 This is today. 00:16:50.140 --> 00:16:51.460 Now of course that doesn't always happen. 00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:53.180 It's not always as dramatic as Jeffrey Epstein. 00:16:54.200 --> 00:16:54.920 Mao Zedong. 00:16:55.080 --> 00:16:57.700 The brutal communist dictator of China. 00:16:57.700 --> 00:16:58.660 In the last century. 00:16:58.860 --> 00:17:00.200 Was responsible for the death of millions. 00:17:00.280 --> 00:17:01.620 And he died peacefully in his sleep. 00:17:02.920 --> 00:17:04.240 But whether it's in this life. 00:17:04.299 --> 00:17:05.100 Or in eternity. 00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:07.980 God's justice will be done. 00:17:09.420 --> 00:17:11.840 It will be evident to the entire universe. 00:17:11.840 --> 00:17:13.140 That justice has been done. 00:17:13.980 --> 00:17:16.279 The wicked are nothing compared to him. 00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:19.240 And he will see that justice is done. 00:17:19.319 --> 00:17:20.340 Because he's good. 00:17:21.140 --> 00:17:22.559 Truly God is good to Israel. 00:17:23.779 --> 00:17:24.880 But it may take a while. 00:17:26.380 --> 00:17:27.860 So in light of who God is. 00:17:27.960 --> 00:17:29.000 Asaph gets clarity. 00:17:29.140 --> 00:17:31.759 He never could have figured out on his own. 00:17:31.860 --> 00:17:32.819 So that's the third stage. 00:17:32.900 --> 00:17:33.220 Clarity. 00:17:33.360 --> 00:17:34.559 Let's move to the fourth stage. 00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:35.240 Very briefly. 00:17:36.200 --> 00:17:36.640 Confession. 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:38.200 Confession. 00:17:38.319 --> 00:17:39.840 Look with me very briefly. 00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:41.799 Verses 21 and 22. 00:17:41.799 --> 00:17:51.940 Asaph realizes he's been an idiot. 00:17:52.819 --> 00:17:53.899 He was confused. 00:17:54.180 --> 00:17:57.159 He was torn between his conviction about God's good character. 00:17:57.480 --> 00:17:59.879 And what he was perceiving in the reality around him. 00:17:59.880 --> 00:18:08.620 And now he sees that his emotional turmoil had destabilized him and disoriented him such that he had forgotten who God was. 00:18:09.440 --> 00:18:12.820 He had forgotten that God is good and that he is just. 00:18:12.819 --> 00:18:15.919 And he had become no more rational than a dumb animal. 00:18:17.159 --> 00:18:18.460 And so he confesses his sin. 00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:20.480 And is honest with God. 00:18:21.439 --> 00:18:29.379 And on the heels of this humble confession comes the final and glorious stage of Asaph's journey. 00:18:29.380 --> 00:18:32.600 He confesses his sinful attitude of envy for the wicked. 00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:38.120 And now in these last verses he has a dramatic experience of God's grace. 00:18:38.500 --> 00:18:41.600 And it brings him joyful contentment. 00:18:41.720 --> 00:18:43.280 That's our fifth stage. 00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:44.260 Contentment. 00:18:44.620 --> 00:18:46.740 Look at verses 23 to 28. 00:18:46.800 --> 00:18:52.360 These are some of the most rapturous statements about delighting in God in all of scripture. 00:18:52.520 --> 00:18:54.880 We just need to savor them together. 00:18:55.040 --> 00:18:56.720 Look at verses 23 and 24. 00:18:56.720 --> 00:19:00.680 Nevertheless, I am continually with you. 00:19:01.019 --> 00:19:02.400 You hold my right hand. 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:04.200 You guide me with your counsel. 00:19:04.620 --> 00:19:07.059 Afterward you will receive me to glory. 00:19:07.500 --> 00:19:09.680 Whom have I in heaven but you? 00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:13.100 And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. 00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:15.339 My flesh and my heart may fail. 00:19:15.480 --> 00:19:19.640 But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:25.100 Asaph realizes he has been beastly towards God. 00:19:25.099 --> 00:19:28.179 And yet God has not abandoned him. 00:19:28.719 --> 00:19:31.959 In God's grace he is still with God. 00:19:33.079 --> 00:19:35.079 I am still with you. 00:19:35.879 --> 00:19:39.179 Even in all the confusion and the envy and the messed up thoughts. 00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:41.339 God in his grace has not left him. 00:19:42.159 --> 00:19:43.839 Don't you love that word with? 00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:46.859 It is my favorite preposition in the English language. 00:19:46.919 --> 00:19:47.539 In any language. 00:19:47.539 --> 00:19:50.960 Here that beautiful little word is showing us. 00:19:51.279 --> 00:19:55.039 That God's goodness to his people is not in the good things he gives. 00:19:56.539 --> 00:19:59.259 Or in protecting them from the bad things that may happen. 00:19:59.920 --> 00:20:02.799 God's ultimate goodness to his people. 00:20:03.440 --> 00:20:04.659 To his faithful ones. 00:20:04.920 --> 00:20:07.899 Is that he will be with them no matter what. 00:20:07.960 --> 00:20:10.039 That he will be with them. 00:20:10.180 --> 00:20:11.700 He will be near to his people. 00:20:11.819 --> 00:20:13.859 No matter what is happening around them. 00:20:13.859 --> 00:20:17.399 That is how God is good to his faithful ones. 00:20:18.139 --> 00:20:20.779 God's goodness to his people never ceases. 00:20:20.939 --> 00:20:27.259 Because the greatest good he can give his people is not an easy, comfortable, trouble-free life but himself. 00:20:28.639 --> 00:20:32.339 And this is all of God's grace and his faithfulness. 00:20:32.579 --> 00:20:34.179 It's got nothing to do with Asaph. 00:20:35.459 --> 00:20:36.500 And now he sees it. 00:20:36.579 --> 00:20:37.839 His perspective has changed. 00:20:37.839 --> 00:20:43.819 He experiences the joyful contentment of having God with him. 00:20:43.980 --> 00:20:45.240 Of being near to God. 00:20:45.279 --> 00:20:47.339 Look at the verbs in verses 22 and 23. 00:20:47.839 --> 00:20:49.059 God holds him. 00:20:49.379 --> 00:20:50.619 God guides him. 00:20:50.899 --> 00:20:54.980 And God will receive him into his glorious presence forever. 00:20:56.119 --> 00:21:02.199 To be near to God by his grace means that God's going to hold on to him his whole life long and never let go. 00:21:02.799 --> 00:21:06.579 That he will lead and guide Asaph with good counsel his whole life long. 00:21:06.579 --> 00:21:10.439 And when it's done, he will receive him into glory. 00:21:11.679 --> 00:21:21.980 And Asaph is so ecstatic at the thought of God's nearness that he breaks out into this rapturous praise of God's ever-satisfying and ever-presence. 00:21:23.799 --> 00:21:25.359 Whom have I in heaven but you? 00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:28.720 There is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. 00:21:29.039 --> 00:21:33.699 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength in my heart and my portion forever. 00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:41.180 So he's saying, if I had to choose between everything except God on the one hand and nothing but God on the other hand, 00:21:41.240 --> 00:21:42.720 I'd choose nothing but God every time. 00:21:44.779 --> 00:21:45.980 God's all that I need. 00:21:47.319 --> 00:21:53.140 His confidence isn't in the health of his body or in his own soul's well-being because both of these can fail. 00:21:53.140 --> 00:21:56.380 The strength of his heart is God. 00:21:57.500 --> 00:21:59.660 Because God is the rock that carries him forever. 00:22:01.100 --> 00:22:03.360 And he says that God is his portion forever. 00:22:04.300 --> 00:22:05.940 The idea of a portion is that it's limited. 00:22:06.600 --> 00:22:10.800 So he's saying, if I have a huge buffet line of everything there is to offer in life before me, 00:22:11.140 --> 00:22:14.460 and I only have one thing to choose, one portion to put on my plate, it's God. 00:22:14.460 --> 00:22:20.039 My nearness to God is the only thing I want because it's the only thing that lasts. 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:25.000 So at the end of the psalm, Asaph puts everything into perspective. 00:22:26.299 --> 00:22:27.960 Those who are far from you will perish. 00:22:28.819 --> 00:22:30.900 You put an end to all who are unfaithful to you. 00:22:30.980 --> 00:22:34.279 But for me, it is good to be near God. 00:22:34.620 --> 00:22:38.640 I have made the Lord God my refuge that I may tell of all your works. 00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:41.920 Does that word good look familiar? 00:22:41.920 --> 00:22:43.640 Look back at verse 1. 00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:47.880 Truly God is good to Israel. 00:22:49.060 --> 00:22:50.920 He ends his journey where he began. 00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:53.180 His conviction that God is good to the pure in heart. 00:22:54.560 --> 00:22:56.800 But now it's strengthened and it's refined. 00:22:57.660 --> 00:23:01.259 Because God is indeed good to those who trust in him, 00:23:01.539 --> 00:23:03.500 even if their trust wavers and slips. 00:23:04.420 --> 00:23:06.779 God's goodness holds by grace. 00:23:08.080 --> 00:23:10.140 And now that conviction means something way more. 00:23:10.140 --> 00:23:15.140 Because God isn't good to his faithful people by always giving them good things 00:23:15.140 --> 00:23:16.920 and keeping bad things away from them. 00:23:17.100 --> 00:23:19.460 He's good because he is all the good they need. 00:23:20.160 --> 00:23:21.440 No matter what happens. 00:23:22.980 --> 00:23:25.580 And being far from him for Asaph, that's not an option. 00:23:26.580 --> 00:23:29.800 Because those who choose to love anything else other than God 00:23:29.800 --> 00:23:34.160 and put their trust in anything other than God will meet a sad end. 00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:40.060 Asaph has finished his journey from confusion to contentment. 00:23:41.120 --> 00:23:47.940 I am so grateful that God inspired Asaph to put this in the Holy Bible. 00:23:48.940 --> 00:23:49.680 But what's the point? 00:23:50.380 --> 00:23:51.160 Why is this here? 00:23:51.800 --> 00:23:53.040 Why are we reading this today? 00:23:53.140 --> 00:23:57.320 What does God want to come into our hearts for us to believe and to hold? 00:23:57.319 --> 00:23:58.099 I think it's this. 00:23:58.099 --> 00:24:00.980 No matter what we see around us, 00:24:01.359 --> 00:24:05.700 our greatest good at all times is being near God. 00:24:06.319 --> 00:24:08.759 No matter what we see around us, 00:24:08.859 --> 00:24:14.039 our greatest good at all times is being near God. 00:24:15.119 --> 00:24:17.439 Let that just kind of sink in for a minute. 00:24:17.440 --> 00:24:23.240 Nothing else is worth our trust and our confidence. 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:28.580 Nothing else is our greatest good just being near God. 00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:33.519 It was this truth that answered Asaph's question 00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:37.299 of whether serving God faithfully was worth it. 00:24:38.380 --> 00:24:42.140 He starts the psalm by thinking that it may not be worth it. 00:24:42.539 --> 00:24:43.580 But he ends by saying, 00:24:43.580 --> 00:24:43.960 No way. 00:24:43.960 --> 00:24:48.240 My greatest good is not in an easy, healthy, comfortable, trouble-free life. 00:24:49.160 --> 00:24:51.299 My greatest good is being near God no matter what. 00:24:52.640 --> 00:24:56.120 So that's the reason this psalm is in the Bible for us. 00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:59.100 But these psalms were written 3,000 years ago. 00:25:00.299 --> 00:25:02.779 In a totally different era of salvation history, 00:25:03.160 --> 00:25:05.819 how is that true for us now, here, today? 00:25:07.019 --> 00:25:11.940 For Asaph, he wanted to be near to God by being near to God's sanctuary. 00:25:12.680 --> 00:25:13.640 Being near his temple. 00:25:14.220 --> 00:25:16.460 Where God's presence dwelt with his people. 00:25:17.059 --> 00:25:18.500 How is God near to us now? 00:25:20.420 --> 00:25:22.819 God had drawn near to his Old Testament people. 00:25:22.960 --> 00:25:24.620 He had initiated covenants with them. 00:25:24.680 --> 00:25:26.340 He had spoken to them by his prophets. 00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:29.819 He came down off the mountain of Sinai to dwell with them 00:25:29.819 --> 00:25:31.700 in the tent of the tabernacle. 00:25:31.700 --> 00:25:38.160 All of that nearness was just a taste of the fullness of the nearness to come. 00:25:38.840 --> 00:25:42.740 Because God the Son, the eternal Son, who had always been near to the Father, 00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:46.840 became flesh to dwell with us. 00:25:47.220 --> 00:25:48.580 To be near to us. 00:25:48.640 --> 00:25:52.059 Not in a building made of animal skin or carved stone, but in a body. 00:25:52.059 --> 00:25:54.559 As a human being. 00:25:54.559 --> 00:26:00.399 And this God-man, Jesus Christ, demonstrated the Father's grace by drawing so near to us 00:26:00.399 --> 00:26:03.059 that he took all of our sin on himself. 00:26:03.059 --> 00:26:10.919 So that we who were far from God, in our abandoning of God, in our trusting in other things, 00:26:11.399 --> 00:26:13.139 he brought us near. 00:26:13.140 --> 00:26:19.800 He made it possible for us to draw near to God by faith in his Son. 00:26:20.880 --> 00:26:24.020 And the joy of this good news just gets even better. 00:26:25.020 --> 00:26:28.140 Not only has God brought his distant enemies, us, 00:26:29.160 --> 00:26:31.380 near through the death and resurrection of his Son, 00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:34.900 but he places his very presence within us in the Holy Spirit. 00:26:35.700 --> 00:26:38.480 We are able to be near to him, not by going to a building, 00:26:39.560 --> 00:26:40.540 but wherever we go. 00:26:40.539 --> 00:26:43.920 We are continually with him, literally. 00:26:45.359 --> 00:26:46.259 What a privilege. 00:26:47.940 --> 00:26:51.019 Through prayer, through meditation, on his spirit-breathed word, 00:26:51.119 --> 00:26:55.619 we can keep very near to our greatest good, to God himself. 00:26:57.920 --> 00:27:01.960 So how can we take this nearness to God being our greatest good? 00:27:02.079 --> 00:27:05.700 How can we respond well and concretely to this psalm this morning? 00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:08.980 I've got four brief lessons I want to help us see 00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:13.799 and put our energy toward this week so that we can put this into practice. 00:27:14.380 --> 00:27:15.259 The first is this. 00:27:16.700 --> 00:27:20.880 Delight in the gracious nearness of God to you in Jesus. 00:27:22.099 --> 00:27:26.039 Delight in God's gracious nearness to you in Jesus. 00:27:26.039 --> 00:27:29.039 I love what Asaph does at the end of this psalm. 00:27:29.119 --> 00:27:33.079 He confesses his beastly and unbelieving attitude toward God, 00:27:33.180 --> 00:27:37.480 and he just starts delighting in the fact that God is near to him by grace. 00:27:38.159 --> 00:27:39.480 Whom have I in heaven but you? 00:27:39.940 --> 00:27:42.000 There's nothing on earth I desire besides you. 00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:44.960 Our God is drawn near to us. 00:27:46.319 --> 00:27:47.899 So realize it. 00:27:48.879 --> 00:27:49.399 Believe it. 00:27:50.039 --> 00:27:50.759 Delight in it. 00:27:50.759 --> 00:27:54.859 Rejoice in it when we sing to close our time together, 00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:56.259 but also through the week. 00:27:56.420 --> 00:27:59.160 God could have left you where you had chosen to go, 00:27:59.240 --> 00:28:02.240 far from him, without hope and without God in this world, 00:28:02.359 --> 00:28:05.879 but he pursued you by grace all the way to the cross 00:28:05.879 --> 00:28:07.940 so that you could be near to him forever. 00:28:08.079 --> 00:28:09.059 So delight in it. 00:28:09.859 --> 00:28:11.579 Put energy toward that this week. 00:28:12.079 --> 00:28:15.799 Let it shape your affections and your convictions this week. 00:28:15.799 --> 00:28:19.419 Secondly, put your conviction to work. 00:28:20.259 --> 00:28:22.299 Put your conviction to work. 00:28:22.399 --> 00:28:26.079 Asaph began the psalm with a conviction that God is indeed good 00:28:26.079 --> 00:28:27.940 to those who are committed to him. 00:28:28.480 --> 00:28:29.960 God is good to the pure in heart. 00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:32.759 And he put that conviction to work throughout the psalm. 00:28:32.819 --> 00:28:33.480 Did you notice that? 00:28:34.220 --> 00:28:35.500 His feet didn't slip. 00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:36.539 They almost did. 00:28:37.339 --> 00:28:40.259 But it was that thread of conviction of God is good. 00:28:40.319 --> 00:28:41.079 I know he is. 00:28:42.200 --> 00:28:44.700 Even in the middle of all this, it kept him stable. 00:28:44.700 --> 00:28:48.319 And it was also this conviction that drove him to go to God. 00:28:49.180 --> 00:28:51.720 He wouldn't have gone to God if he didn't believe that God was good 00:28:51.720 --> 00:28:54.120 and that God would answer his prayer and give him clarity. 00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:56.279 His conviction drove him to God. 00:28:56.360 --> 00:28:59.759 Even in his messy, disoriented, confused state, 00:28:59.900 --> 00:29:01.620 his conviction drove him to God. 00:29:01.680 --> 00:29:02.500 He put it to work. 00:29:03.740 --> 00:29:05.640 So I have two questions for you about this. 00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:08.519 Is it your conviction, personally, 00:29:08.740 --> 00:29:12.160 do you really believe that your greatest good is being near to God? 00:29:12.160 --> 00:29:14.779 Do you truly believe that? 00:29:16.480 --> 00:29:17.820 If that's your conviction, 00:29:18.540 --> 00:29:22.500 how are you putting that conviction to work in your everyday life? 00:29:23.040 --> 00:29:25.900 How is that functioning in your everyday life? 00:29:26.380 --> 00:29:27.279 I don't know about you, 00:29:27.440 --> 00:29:30.120 but my flesh lies to me all day long. 00:29:30.540 --> 00:29:32.600 My heart lies to me all the day long. 00:29:32.680 --> 00:29:34.800 It tells me that my greatest good is in something else. 00:29:35.380 --> 00:29:36.300 It's in ease. 00:29:36.640 --> 00:29:37.820 It's in amusing myself. 00:29:38.040 --> 00:29:38.800 It's in comfort. 00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:41.379 It's in an absence of anything hard. 00:29:41.879 --> 00:29:43.379 That's where my greatest good is. 00:29:43.680 --> 00:29:45.359 I'm particularly tempted along those lines. 00:29:45.440 --> 00:29:46.740 You may be tempted along others. 00:29:47.960 --> 00:29:50.259 So whether I'm being tempted to pursue my greatest good 00:29:50.259 --> 00:29:52.039 at looking at my phone and escaping, 00:29:52.619 --> 00:29:54.919 or shirking responsibility at my house, 00:29:55.279 --> 00:29:57.299 or being less than diligent in my work, 00:29:57.399 --> 00:30:00.079 or seeking escape in some other kind of entertainment, 00:30:00.559 --> 00:30:02.339 I have to have that conviction 00:30:02.339 --> 00:30:04.859 that God, my greatest good is his nearness. 00:30:04.859 --> 00:30:07.459 I have to have that right here, close to me, 00:30:07.599 --> 00:30:08.899 plastered in front of my eyes, 00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:12.559 so that I don't pursue anything else except God first. 00:30:13.539 --> 00:30:15.379 His nearness is my good, nothing else. 00:30:17.959 --> 00:30:20.019 I have to put that conviction to work. 00:30:20.099 --> 00:30:22.919 I have to strengthen my self-discipline with that conviction. 00:30:23.259 --> 00:30:24.799 I have to grab that temptation, 00:30:25.000 --> 00:30:26.179 wrestle it to the ground, 00:30:26.339 --> 00:30:28.039 and run after Jesus in prayer, 00:30:28.139 --> 00:30:29.479 and in meditating on his word. 00:30:29.480 --> 00:30:32.880 So take some time this week to ask yourself, 00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:35.180 how can I put this conviction to work? 00:30:35.360 --> 00:30:38.299 Where am I tempted to move toward other things 00:30:38.299 --> 00:30:39.220 as my greatest good? 00:30:39.420 --> 00:30:40.720 And take your conviction and say, 00:30:40.799 --> 00:30:42.039 no, I'm going to run with this. 00:30:43.319 --> 00:30:45.960 We have to be like Mary, not like Martha. 00:30:46.099 --> 00:30:47.920 We don't need to let the distractions 00:30:47.920 --> 00:30:49.160 of good responsibilities, 00:30:49.319 --> 00:30:50.880 however they might be good they might be, 00:30:51.200 --> 00:30:52.980 we have to keep them out of the driver's seat. 00:30:53.920 --> 00:30:56.079 Choose the one thing that cannot be taken from you. 00:30:56.500 --> 00:30:57.539 Sit at Jesus' feet. 00:30:57.539 --> 00:30:59.220 Drink in his nearness. 00:31:00.140 --> 00:31:01.579 Put the conviction to work. 00:31:01.740 --> 00:31:05.140 Thirdly, doubt your perception. 00:31:05.980 --> 00:31:07.220 Doubt your perception. 00:31:09.299 --> 00:31:12.220 As the saying goes, perception is reality. 00:31:13.839 --> 00:31:16.299 Asaph went wrong when he allowed his eyes 00:31:16.299 --> 00:31:18.000 to affect his faith. 00:31:19.140 --> 00:31:20.779 We are a limited people. 00:31:21.579 --> 00:31:23.140 We can only see so much, 00:31:23.200 --> 00:31:25.539 and we can only understand so much of what we see. 00:31:26.720 --> 00:31:29.160 Asaph was wrong in that he let his perception 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:30.360 shape his reality, 00:31:30.360 --> 00:31:33.259 and that produced an ungodly envy for the wicked. 00:31:33.420 --> 00:31:34.540 And we can do the same thing. 00:31:35.240 --> 00:31:36.580 It might produce envy in us. 00:31:36.640 --> 00:31:40.140 It might produce discontent in what we see. 00:31:40.480 --> 00:31:44.040 It might be pursuing an ungodly pursuit of ease. 00:31:44.039 --> 00:31:48.180 We must distrust our perception of reality 00:31:48.180 --> 00:31:51.319 and let God's truth shape our reality. 00:31:51.480 --> 00:31:54.099 So, when you find your soul dull or troubled, 00:31:54.819 --> 00:31:56.920 bring your perception of reality to God. 00:31:56.920 --> 00:31:58.860 Let him bring you clarity, 00:31:58.860 --> 00:31:59.940 just like Asaph did. 00:32:00.340 --> 00:32:01.660 Seek nearness to him. 00:32:02.279 --> 00:32:04.620 Don't weary yourself out with trying to figure things out 00:32:04.620 --> 00:32:07.100 by exercising faith in yourself, 00:32:07.220 --> 00:32:10.660 but exercise faith in the one who sees all things clearly. 00:32:10.660 --> 00:32:15.580 Our father loves for his children 00:32:15.580 --> 00:32:17.920 to humbly exercise faith 00:32:17.920 --> 00:32:20.900 and come to him and not spin their wheels 00:32:20.900 --> 00:32:23.759 in something that they don't fully understand. 00:32:25.860 --> 00:32:27.920 Lastly, guard your speech. 00:32:29.300 --> 00:32:30.340 Guard your speech. 00:32:30.420 --> 00:32:32.200 This might seem like a small thing and like, 00:32:32.279 --> 00:32:32.880 eh, what? 00:32:33.860 --> 00:32:36.700 Did you notice the two times that Asaph mentioned his speech? 00:32:37.220 --> 00:32:39.080 Verse 15 and verse 28. 00:32:40.160 --> 00:32:42.880 In verse 15, Asaph is about to vent his envy 00:32:42.880 --> 00:32:43.880 to those around him. 00:32:43.980 --> 00:32:45.360 He's about to spray everybody 00:32:45.360 --> 00:32:49.460 with his bad attitude of being envying with the wicked. 00:32:49.640 --> 00:32:50.539 But notice what he says. 00:32:51.220 --> 00:32:52.360 If I had spoke that way, 00:32:52.640 --> 00:32:54.559 I would have betrayed the generation of your children. 00:32:55.519 --> 00:32:57.360 His venting of envious thoughts 00:32:57.360 --> 00:32:59.259 would have had negative effects. 00:32:59.680 --> 00:33:00.500 He would have betrayed 00:33:00.500 --> 00:33:02.920 the other faithful Israelites around me. 00:33:04.039 --> 00:33:05.720 But then after he's experienced the clarity 00:33:05.720 --> 00:33:07.759 and the contentment of being near to God, 00:33:08.220 --> 00:33:10.220 in verse 28, he says, 00:33:10.680 --> 00:33:12.120 I have made the Lord God my refuge 00:33:12.120 --> 00:33:14.380 that I may tell of all your works. 00:33:14.900 --> 00:33:17.799 Now, instead of venting envy, 00:33:18.319 --> 00:33:19.620 complaining, bitterness, 00:33:20.279 --> 00:33:23.720 he is declaring God's faithfulness 00:33:23.720 --> 00:33:25.120 to anyone who will listen. 00:33:27.819 --> 00:33:29.819 The next thing that comes out of his mouth 00:33:29.819 --> 00:33:31.600 is praise to God about others 00:33:31.600 --> 00:33:34.539 so that they can find their greatest good in God. 00:33:34.539 --> 00:33:35.799 Our words matter. 00:33:36.899 --> 00:33:39.240 So if there's more complaining and envy 00:33:39.240 --> 00:33:41.180 and bitterness and self-centered speech 00:33:41.180 --> 00:33:41.799 on your lips 00:33:41.799 --> 00:33:44.259 than the faithfulness of God on your lips, 00:33:44.839 --> 00:33:46.759 then something's wrong on the inside. 00:33:47.700 --> 00:33:49.779 Nearness to God is not your greatest good. 00:33:50.420 --> 00:33:52.440 You need to ask yourself and ask God, 00:33:53.500 --> 00:33:54.960 where am I seeking my greatest good? 00:33:55.240 --> 00:33:56.899 Is it in God or something else? 00:33:57.740 --> 00:33:58.779 And then repent of it 00:33:58.779 --> 00:34:00.859 and receive the true contentment 00:34:00.859 --> 00:34:02.680 of knowing the nearness of God. 00:34:02.680 --> 00:34:04.860 It doesn't mean you can't say anything 00:34:04.860 --> 00:34:06.440 about honestly struggling with things. 00:34:06.560 --> 00:34:07.660 Obviously, that's good. 00:34:07.720 --> 00:34:08.559 That's pleasing to God. 00:34:09.300 --> 00:34:10.519 But we're to avoid speech 00:34:10.519 --> 00:34:13.380 that infects and poisons the air around us 00:34:13.380 --> 00:34:15.700 with untrue assumptions about God 00:34:15.700 --> 00:34:18.320 and instead go to him with those things. 00:34:19.760 --> 00:34:22.760 Church, it is our good to be near to God. 00:34:23.800 --> 00:34:26.380 Trusting him is worth it. 00:34:26.380 --> 00:34:29.180 There is no better choice we can make. 00:34:29.260 --> 00:34:30.539 So if you are here this morning 00:34:30.539 --> 00:34:32.960 and you are aware that in some way, 00:34:33.180 --> 00:34:35.079 whether an attitude of your heart is off, 00:34:36.059 --> 00:34:38.160 you are feeling far from God in that way 00:34:38.160 --> 00:34:42.860 or there's something that is an obstacle 00:34:42.860 --> 00:34:45.200 between you and your nearness to God, 00:34:45.780 --> 00:34:46.320 act on it. 00:34:46.840 --> 00:34:47.360 Go to him. 00:34:48.079 --> 00:34:49.880 Spend a few moments in prayer just now 00:34:49.880 --> 00:34:51.840 and draw near to God 00:34:51.840 --> 00:34:53.240 so that he may draw near to you. 00:34:55.059 --> 00:34:55.680 Let's pray. 00:35:02.559 --> 00:35:04.760 Your nearness, Lord, is our good. 00:35:05.860 --> 00:35:08.059 We desperately need to be near to you. 00:35:08.059 --> 00:35:10.759 Give us the strength, 00:35:11.699 --> 00:35:14.759 the power that we need this week 00:35:14.759 --> 00:35:22.779 to put other tempting things away from our hearts 00:35:22.779 --> 00:35:25.059 that would say this is our greatest good 00:35:25.059 --> 00:35:27.019 and to put our eyes on you. 00:35:27.759 --> 00:35:29.840 Help us to draw near to you this week in faith. 00:35:30.519 --> 00:35:31.519 In Jesus' name, amen.