Monday, April 20, 2020

Dear Church Family,

Today I give you a 'guest devotion' from Al Harrell based on Psalm 73 that will help us with 'slippage control.' I have been blessed by it and trust you will be as well.   Pastor Gillikin

The psalm begins with “God is good to such as are pure in heart.” But the Psalmist immediately declares that “as for me my steps have nearly slipped.” He had become envious of “the prosperity of the wicked”
At the same time he was feeling sorry for himself as a righteous person (one who had cleansed his heart in vain) who was being “plagued all day long and chastened every morning”.  When he tried to under- stand this “it was too painful for me.”

With the new restrictions that have been put upon our lives because of the coronavirus we may also feel that we may be losing our foothold (especially as we become aware of so many dying around us) and we can think that there is no advantage in being a child of God. (Rom 8:16,17)  Our Pastor has been remind-  ing us of the providence of God (that God is in control of all things-Heb 1:3) and of which the psalmist also had to be reminded.

The turning point came when he went into the sanctuary (vs 17) and then he understood  and he was able to get God’s perspective (His wisdom) on his circumstances.  It is wonderful to have our worship service on line and to be lifted up to a new perspective as we worship.  The same thing happens  when we pray and open up the Word of God individually as we shelter at home (Ps 119:105).

The first thing that he realized was that God had set the wicked in slippery places and that they could be cast down to destruction in a moment (vs 18) because they had no relationship to God. 

Secondly, he realized  that God was indeed in control and that his life was the unfolding of the strategy of God for him.   “You hold me by my right hand, You will guide me with Your counsel and afterward receive me to glory”  (vs 23,24).  God was in control of both his destiny and of his journey.  He was a pilgrim living on God’s promises and God’s promises never fail (II Cor 1:20).

Thirdly, the psalmist realized that what he was calling good (the prosperity of the wicked) was not what God would call good.  He was walking by sight and not by faith.  Good for him was to draw near to and  make the sovereign God his refuge (Vs 28).  “Whom have I in heaven beside thee and there is none on earth that I desire beside thee” (vs 25)  We have a savior in Heaven praying for us and preparing a place for us for all eternity!  He is our life (Col 3:3) and our lifestyle (habit ) should be one of setting our mind on things above and not on things on the earth (Col 3:2).

The psalmist realized that though his heart and his flesh may fail that God is the strength of his heart (Phil 4:13) and his portion forever (Lam 3:24).  God knows the source, the timing and the weight of his present burdens.  The psalmist concludes that it is “good for me to draw near to God, put his trust in the
Lord and to continue to declare all His works (our great salvation).  (vs 28)

My prayer for myself and for all of us is that this “momentary affliction” will not produce slippage but a firmer stand on the promise,  and the providence of God and in the purpose of God (to know Him and to make Him Known)!  Memorize Ps 73:24-26 to reduce slippage!