|
Dear Heavenly Father, Praise When Asaph was in trouble, he reminded himself of your mighty deeds: “Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph” (Ps 77:13–15). Today, I choose to turn my thoughts from worry to worship, and I praise you for your power, protection, and love. Hallelujah! Today in Your Word Today you shared with me some of the psalms of Asaph. Asaph was a Levite musician who played a leading role in worship during the time of David. His descendants also carried on the family tradition of music (Ezra 3:10). In Psalm 73, Asaph described his struggle with being envious of the wicked: “They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind. Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies. Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches” (Ps 73:5, 7, 12). What made the prosperity of the wicked so galling was the fact that Asaph was suffering: “All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence. For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning” (Ps 73:13–14). However, Asaph had enough sense to keep his emotions in check, and he did not speak against you to other believers (v. 15). Instead, he made his way to your house and worshipped you. Then he realized: “Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin. How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!” (Ps 73:17–19). Asaph teaches me: “Those who are far from you will perish, but as for me, it is good to be near God” (Ps 73:27–28). Reflection In Psalm 50, Asaph wrote of your stern rebuke to Israel for their hypocrisy and unfaithfulness (Ps 50:16). The people were going through the motions of worship, but their hearts were far from you. Does my worship come from a righteous heart? Am I being careful to order my way rightly? Request Father, help me to worship you out of heartfelt love and devotion, not out of habit or conformity. Enable me to offer sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving that are pleasing to you. Thanksgiving I give thanks to you, O God, for your name is near (Ps 75:1). You bring down one and you exalt another, and you are just in all that you do. “As for me, I will declare this forever; I will sing praise to the God of Jacob” (Ps 75:9 NIV). In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “Lord, What a Thoughtless Wretch was I” — Isaac Watts. Meditation Verse: Psalm 73:1. |