The clause, "waters of a full cup are wrung out to them," means they are drinking it all in. Some were sinning and were getting away with it, and even enjoying material prosperity besides. Asaph knew that the ungodly do prosper, they just keep on accum ulating wealth and increasing in riches. There does not seem to be any rewards for being good. Have you ever thought, "I would be just as well off if I were not a Christian. What have I gained by all my ef forts to please God? I try to live the Christian life, to read the Bible, to pray and witness, and where does it get me? It brings nothing but trouble" (vs. 14). All was not despair. God gives Asaph wisdom, "If I say, I will speak thus, behold I should offend against the chi Idren of Thy gen eration" (vs. 15). He determined not to tell other believers about his problem because it would of fend them to know that he had this difficulty. We hear a lot today about sharing. Sometimes I think it might be better for us to keep quiet rather than to babble on about our problems. It is not easy to bring one's self to such impor tant decisions. The Psalmist volun teered, "When I meditate or re flected in order to try to under stand this matter, it was labor or a burden or work in my eyes" (vs. 16). In our study we will consider the important answers to these very real and human struggles. All of us at times face problems that seem to be beyond our ability to solve. One of the age-old ques tions every believer has to face is, "Why do the righteous suffer and the ungodly prosper?" The first part of Psalm 73 deals with the
frustrations one encounters as he tries to rationalize these discrep ancies from a human level. One cannot explain them on the sur face. Notice the change that is made, however, with the one word "un til" in verse 17. This is the turning point! The temple of the Lord is the place of God's presence. The answer can only be found in the presence and communion the Sav iour has made possible. To be sure, the wicked may prosper now, but it is only temporary. Judgment is coming. It may not take place in this life but it surely will after death. Asaph got away from the hustle and bustle of life into the quiet se clusion of God's presence. There is where he got an answer, but it did not come until then. You will always have difficulty understand ing God's ways if you stay away from His Word and fellowship. You can never figure things out for yourself. Remember how Elisha's servant tried to do this? Benhadad, King of Syria, had surrounded the city of Dothan (II Kings 6). In or der to quiet his helper's terrified spirits he assured, "Fear not; for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." Then he interceded, "Lord , I pray Thee, open his eyes that he may see." What a miracle was performed. The young man saw that the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about his master. We cannot help but notice that now Asaph begins speaking with the Lord, rather than to himself. He gets a grasp on God's overview of things, "How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with Page 17
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