They Scoff And Speak Evil – Psalm 73 Part 3

Scripture: Psalm 73 (Click Link) 8 They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others. 9 They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth. 10 And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words. 11 “What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?” 12 Look at these wicked people—enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply. (Psalm 73:8-12 NLT) Asaph continues his very emotional and dramatic rant about “The Proud”, those evil people who prosper in spite of their wickedness. These people are not only proud and prosperous in spite of their wickedness, they oppress other people! As Asaph continues to focus on these proud and prosperous people, the sense of injustice grows in him and he begins to see them as his oppressors and himself as their victim. When we live with the expectation that life should always be fair and that the good guys should win and the bad guys should get what’s coming to them, it’s really easy to become victims of a “That’s Not Fair!” mentality.

I think pretty much all of us are dealing with a “That’s Not Fair!” attitude these days. Due to COVID-19, We’ve lost time with family and friends, we’ve lost the sense of security about being able to go about our daily lives like we used to, many of us have suffered financially, some experiencing tremendous loss, most of all, so many have lost loved ones to this disease, and there’s no end in sight! We can’t go to school, we can’t go to work, we can’t visit with family and friends, we can’t travel, and we’re looking for somebody to blame! When things are supposed to be good and they’re not, it’s got to be somebody’s fault. There’s gotta be some bad guys we can pin this on! And if there’s not, then where is God in all this mess!?! Here’s what we and Asaph have begun to realize: Sometimes proud and arrogant people prosper. Sometimes good people suffer loss. Sometimes life is just not fair. It’s not going to help to compare “them and us” because it doesn’t change anything and it only makes us feel like helpless victims. But we can’t just leave it this way. These thoughts and feelings, unanswered questions, unresolved frustrations, can turn to despair and bitterness and just eat away at our faith until it withers. So Asaph, lead us on until we find peace in the midst of questions and confusion. Prayer: Father, We know we’re not victims, but sometimes it feels like we are. We know good wins and evil loses, but sometimes it’s hard to see that from where we’re standing. May our hearts and minds be open to see your hand at work in our world. Amen.