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TAKE ANOTHER LOOK!
Inspiration from Psalm 73:21-28
By Mininster Mengue M. Eka-Abila
Frustration, suffering, and discouragement are the lot of every
sincere child of God anywhere in the world. Meanwhile, the wicked
seem to prosper! However, Ps. 73:16-17 advises that we take another
look: “When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive
[more than can bare] to me till I entered the sanctuary of God:
then I understood their final destiny.” In other words, the
psalmist is saying, “Go to the temple, the sanctuary of God,
your spirit, which is where the Holy Spirit dwells. Let the Lord
guide your sight and grant you understanding, and you’ll see
the world from a spiritual—not a logical—perspective.”
Contrast Ps. 73:12-15 with Matt. 6:31-34. The wicked look prosperous
while the children of God is struggling. But the Lord says, “Do
not worry about anything. Worrying is a natural tendency. It is
normal. Notice however that just because something is natural or
normal does not mean it is healthy or acceptable to God. That’s
why we need to pray constantly for the Lord to deliver us from our
natural inclinations “The spirit is willing but the flesh
[nature] is weak.” Prayer: Lord deliver me from worrying!
Contrast Ps. 73:9-10 with Matt. 5:13-16. The wicked blaspheme and
oppress daily, yet they seem to be getting away with it: they seem
happy and prosperous in their sin, therefore many follow them, including
malnourished believers. But every church member or child of God
must remember the Great Commission day and night. In order to be
successful in our mission on earth, we need to remember whose we
are and what we are to the world! “You are the salt of the
earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?
[What use is it?] It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out
and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the world.
A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Let your light so
shine before men and glorify your Father in heaven.”
The question is, “How many God or gods do you have in heaven
and in earth?” If you are like Asaph (the author of this psalm)
who had only one God in heaven and earth and everywhere, or at least
if you want to be like him, then seek God’s guidance in every
detail of your life, trusting in His holy word that cannot fail,
so as to build your faith on Christ the Solid Rock, not on things
or people.
How will I know that my faith is built on the Solid Rock? The answer
is found in Matt. 7:24-27 “So then, anyone who hears these
words of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house
on rock. The rain poured down, the rivers overflowed, and the wind blew hard against that house. But
it did not fall, because it was built on rock. But anyone who
hears these words of mine and does not obey them is like a foolish
man who built his house on sand. The rain poured down,
the rivers overflowed, the wind blew hard against that house, and
it fell. And what a terrible fall that was! (Good News edition).
Brothers and sisters, trials and tribulations are normal, but our
reactions to them tell a story on our spiritual status. The frustrations,
and the depressions we experience as a result are also normal, but
only in so far as it is a spiritual developmental stage. We must
then take the next step, i.e., a closer look, a
spiritual examination of our values and perceptions (the things
that seem appealing to us or turn us off, excite or depress us).
For example, take a retreat, fast and pray. The
Holy Spirit is waiting for us to take this vital step to reveal
the true nature and stature of things to us. Once we begin to see
with our spiritual eyes, we become more effective witnesses of the
love and saving power of God.
Amen.
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