Psalm 73:1-3
1 Certainly God is good to Israel, and to those whose motives are pure!
2 But as for me, my feet almost slipped; my feet almost slid out from under me.
Asaph’s Symptoms
Envy
3 For I envied those who are proud, as I observed the prosperity of the wicked.
Depression
4 For they suffer no pain; their bodies are strong and well-fed. 5 They are immune to the trouble common to men; they do not suffer as other men do. 6 Arrogance is their necklace, and violence their clothing.
7 Their prosperity causes them to do wrong; their thoughts are sinful. 8 They mock and say evil things; they proudly threaten violence. 9 They speak as if they rule in heaven, and lay claim to the earth.
10 Therefore they have more than enough food to eat, and even suck up the water of the sea. 11 They say, “How does God know what we do? Is the sovereign one aware of what goes on?”
12 Take a good look! This is what the wicked are like, those who always have it so easy and get richer and richer.
13 I concluded, “Surely in vain I have kept my motives pure and maintained a pure lifestyle.
14 I suffer all day long, and am punished every morning.”
Anxiety
15 If I had publicized these thoughts, I would have betrayed your loyal followers.
16 When I tried to make sense of this, it was troubling to me.
When Was your Last Check UP?
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Stick out your Tongue!
James 3:5-7
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity:
so is the tongue among our members, that it defiles the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
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How is your Appetite?
Luke 21:33-34
33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
Matthew 5:6
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Proverbs 27:7
7 The full soul loathes the honeycomb; BUT TO THE HUNGRY soul every bitter thing is sweet.
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Your Ears?
Matthew 11:15
He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Luke 8:8 Luke 14:35 Mark 4:9
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Your Eyes?
Matthew 6:21-23
21 for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
‘Before you Quit…‘
1. Be Honest with Yourself.
Psalm 73:1-2
2 But as for me, my feet almost slipped; my feet almost slid out from under me.
3 For I envied those who are proud, as I observed the prosperity of the wicked.
2. Proceed with Wisdom
Psalm 73:15
If I had publicized these thoughts, I would have betrayed your loyal followers.
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Be Open with God.
Psalm 73:16-17
16 When I tried to make sense of this, it was troubling to me.
17 Then I entered the precincts of God’s temple, and understood the destiny of the wicked.
Psalm 73:18-20
18 Surely you put them in slippery places; you bring them down to ruin.
19 How desolate they become in a mere moment! Terrifying judgments make their demise complete!
20 They are like a dream after one wakes up. O Lord, when you awake you will despise them.
Psalm 73:21-22
21 Yes, my spirit was bitter, and my insides felt sharp pain. 22 I was ignorant and lacked insight; I was as senseless as an animal before you.
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Draw Near to God.
23 But I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me by your wise advice, and then you will lead me to a position of honor.
25 Whom do I have in heaven but you? I desire no one but you on earth.
26 My flesh and my heart may grow weak, but God always protects my heart and gives me stability.
27 Yes, look! Those far from you die; you destroy everyone who is unfaithful to you.
28 But as for me, GOD’S PRESENCE IS ALL I NEED. I have made the sovereign Lord my shelter, as I declare all the things you have done.