July 30
DebDay 138: His Goodness Trounces My Brutishness
Asaph is a somewhat mysterious writer whose writing is found in Psalms. He was a church musician, a worship leader. A professional.
There's not a lot of biographical info provided. Asaph may have been three different Asaph's. Hard to know.
In Psalm 73, ascribed to Asaph, he begins with saying "Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart." Then he proceeds to write about how he is not pure in heart.
Thus the conundrum. He recognizes that he deserves nothing of God goodness. Problematic, for sure.
Asaph says how his "feet had almost stumbled, [his] steps had nearly slipped." How? Why?
Because he had envied the arrogant and the wicked. Their lives appeared easier, they gain wealth, and everyone else seems to admire them. (And, I'll add, on Sunday's they get to do whatever they want.)
Asaph then personalizes his thoughts. He writes, "All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence." In other words, my being good hasn't resulted in anything good for me.
As a result of Asaph's frustrations, he had, in fact, stumbled and slipped. He had become "embittered."
And as a final statement of the state of his own heart, he confesses he had been acting "brutish and ignorant." Like a "beast;" an animal. A lower life form. No longer an image-bearer.
So he went into the sanctuary, assumedly by himself, off hours. And while inside, he was given two revelatory thoughts:
God does and will make the arrogant and wicked fall to ruin. God always has been, and will always be the final judge. His is the highest court in the land.
And (this is key to the whole psalm.) "Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand."
Even though Asaph confesses to being an emotional mess, he was still saved and accepted. The blessing of God's constant presence was undoubtedly his.
For us, this is like proclaiming, "Since I belong to Christ Jesus, I am continually with God. The Father is perpetually watching over my welfare."
In spite of us, we are continually in His hand. Therefore, no person or circumstance can pluck us from His hand. He will not lose His own. He does not walk away.
This is surprising grace! Even though I am regularly disgusted with myself, the Father sees me wearing Christ's clothes. My dirty rags have been replaced, washed clean in the sacrificial blood of Jesus.
So I (and if a repentant believer, you too) stand accepted by God's presence, continually in His favor.
His goodness trounces my brutishness.
-Mike Rydman, Lead Pastor, Radiant Church | Juneau
