Read Psalm 73:1-15.
Got questions? Doubts? Fears?
Whether you’re willing to admit it or not, my guess is most have faced one or all of these at some point in life.
From Genesis to Revelation, no book contains more electrifying passages of doubts and fears than Psalms. For me, it is also the book that blows a resounding trumpet; a trumpet that speaks forth the willingness of a faithful Father to answer each and every one of these.
The entire book of Psalms is incredibly powerful, but one passage nears the top on my list of Scriptures that shake the very core of my being every time it’s read. If you are anything like me, this Psalm could possibly be the anthem for your life.
Meet Asaph
This Psalm, written by a temple musician named Asaph, depicts a man of God who desired righteousness. He probably toiled diligently in his quest to please the Father, working day and night to keep his heart pure and his hands clean. Sound anything like you? A man of God who just can’t work hard enough? A man of God who can’t spend enough time studying, a disciple who longs to learn more about his Master and a divinely called leader who yearns to see a generation burn for the Lord?
Though, if you’re anything like Asaph, maybe there are times where life gets a little foggy.
He writes,
“But as for me, my feet had almost slipped, I had nearly lost my foothold.”
This wasn’t a struggle with some secret sin or decision to quit the work of the Kingdom. Asaph’s problems stemmed from an out-of-focus perspective. He had begun to admire the wickedness he saw around him. Things seemed easy for them. After all, they didn’t have to constantly keep their hearts pure and their hands clean. They were without worry, free from burdens and always increasing in wealth and possessions. Get the idea?
He was sick and tired of seeing everyone else live it up and do as they pleased! The temptation to ditch his calling was strong. Not only that, but from these verses, one could almost discern he might have even questioned his faith in the Lord.
Verse 13 reads,
“Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.”
Have you ever felt this way? Doubting why you toil and fearing it will never see any blessing? If most of us were honest, our answer would be a resounding "yes."
The enemy is sly at finding our weaknesses and continually trying to gain a foothold. Thankfully, we have a Groom who is even more adept at taking these weaknesses and turning them into glorious victories.
From fear and fumbling to focus
Witness the turnaround in Asaph’s story by reading verses 16-28.
Remember this man’s occupation? Constantly being around the temple was probably what this man knew best. He was a temple musician, the right-hand man of the head musician. His friends were temple musicians, and most of his descendents were the same (1 Chronicles 6:31-47).
However, I believe verses 16-17 hold the key to unlocking the door of understanding.
“When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me, till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood.”
Take a moment to digest that statement. Meditate on that thought.
This was a temple-dwelling dude — a guy who continually ministered before the tabernacle! What could have possibly changed for him just by entering the sanctuary of God?
I believe what changed this man’s perspective was one touch from the King of Glory; and I believe it is this one touch that can also leave you proclaiming,
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (v. 26).
This was the same man who once envied the wicked, who once wondered if all his work and innocence would ever pay off. Notice — there is no shift in occupation or position brought on this change of heart. Asaph didn’t suddenly acquire wealth or go through a situational change. He simply had an encounter with a loving Father who never disappoints when he enters “the sanctuary.” That encounter with the Lord was all it took for Asaph to see things correctly.
Aspah’s revelation didn’t involve God wiping away the wicked to show he “places them on slippery ground” (v. 18). His understanding came from one touch of the Glory, which he found in the sanctuary of God.
The wicked were in the exact same state as before this encounter. They were still prospering and without struggle. But the moment the Glory touched Asaph deep in his heart, all the fogginess that plagued him and all of the doubts, fears and questions left and were replaced by jubilee and a clearness of mind.
Getting through the fog
Asaph had such a profound change of heart because he encountered something so amazing, so great, so profound, that anything the wicked possessed or attained couldn’t hold a candle to the new joy and peace the Lord laid upon his heart.
One encounter can change your perspective, even if absolutely no visible change occurs around you.
If you are going through a season of doubts and fears, take heart. I believe it is an indicator of glorious victories to come. In fact, if believers aren’t ever encountering questions and concerns in their walk, there probably isn’t much growth occurring. Growth and change can often bring about questions.
The beauty of this entire situation is that the Lord can show up and change your perspective wherever you choose to meet Him. If it’s at the altar of your church, he can show up there. However, your sanctuary can be so much more than just church on Sunday morning. If it takes leaving work for a day and finding a solitary place in a pasture, do it. For me, my car is one of the greatest places for me to hear from the Lord. (If my wife and I drive anywhere that takes longer than ten minutes, it’s guaranteed that she’s going to sleep).
Any place for you to get alone and seek the face of the Creator can be your sanctuary. I promise he can meet you there and give you exactly what touched and changed Asaph’s heart and mind. The enemy can only use your doubts effectively against you if they cause you to quit. But I believe the Father can provide answers that will give you such understanding, insight, joy, peace and passion that you’ll be a sign and a wonder to those around you and the rest of the world.
Written by Cannon Earp