Morning frens. I do a morning Bible study every day, and this year I decided to read through the entire Bible. Each day I have several chapters, from both the Old and New Testaments. Many days, the passage directly lines up with something happening in current events, and it's been very comforting.
I've been feeling a bit down and weary this week, (over worked, really) and was a bit sad and frustrated this morning with all that's going on. One of my chapters this morning was Psalm 73, and it brought me great encouragement. I hope it encourages you as well, to keep going, keep fighting, and most of all keep praying.
Psalm 73 A psalm of Asaph. 1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. 3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.[a] 5 They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills. 6 Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. 7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity[b]; their evil imaginations have no limits. 8 They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression. 9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. 10 Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance.[c] 11 They say, “How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?”
12 This is what the wicked are like— always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.
13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. 14 All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments.
15 If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children. 16 When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply 17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.
18 Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. 19 How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! 20 They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.
21 When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, 22 I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.
23 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. 24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. 28 But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.
This Psalm is so true. I thank God that did not end up living that kind of life; I was stripped of everything, lost everything and found salvation. I never cease to be thankful. I look at the people I knew who seem to have it all yet have nothing because they don't have Jesus, they don't know their Heavenly Father. They are in slippery places; their trust is in what they own, their cleverness, connections and influence. Slippery as thin ice.