Finding Refuge in God

Verses: Psalms 73: 1 - 28

Song inspired by the chapter:  Song has been uploaded from YouTube.com and is not my original.

My thoughts about the verses:

I know I have been where the psalmist was.  He was looking around and seeing how all the people that were doing wicked things seem to have a better life.  A little bit of envy came into his heart because he was doing what was right but they were prospering. 

Haven’t we all been there at one moment or another?  We are doing the things that are right yet are getting nowhere fast.  Then we look at people that are blatantly sinning against God and they seem to have it all.  They have the cars, the money, and the houses they seem like they do not have a care in the world.  On the other hand, we are just struggling to get by one day at a time.

Then you take a step back and you realize they do not have peace.  Money can only do so much in your life.  You will not be able to take it with you when you pass from this world to the next.  Yet, when you have inner peace you are free from the ailments of the world.

The Messiah is able to give anyone that desires inner peace the reward.  Yet, we often are so caught up in the things of the world that we forget to go to Jesus.  We try to fix it ourselves and every time it seems harder and harder.  When we take our eyes off of Jesus the world becomes a hard place to live.

Yet, when we realize that we need to give it over to God things change.  We might not have the money that we need.  We might still be driving that old beat up car.  We might have a job that is a dead-end.  Yet, what we do have is a peace of mind.  We have the knowledge that Jesus will help us get by.  That there is nothing that can happen to us on Earth that will destroy our relationship with the one that has set us free.

Temptation is very hard to ignore.  Everywhere we turn there is something tempting us.  People want us to do things that we know are not right.  We allow our minds to be clouded by the things that we want instead of what we need.  It is easy to be envious of the richest and fame of others.

Yet, with riches and fame there comes agony and worry.  You heard me right riches and fame are not what they are cut out to be.  You have to keep that face that the world wants.  You have to do the things that the world wants you to do.  It is about living not for you but for others.  Imagine how lonely it must be to have to do what others expect. 

Slip and fall and you might lose it all.  People may be on your bandwagon today.  Yet, if you do the slightest thing that is different they will leave you.  Then what do you have?  You have money that can only buy you so much.  Your have fame which is gone.  Your life slips back into anonymity. 

Yet, if you live to please God you have the helper on your side.  You might not ever have everything that you want in life.  The most important thing is that you will have the only thing you need for your life.  The gift of salvation comes to those that ask Jesus into their life.  It doesn’t matter the fame or fortune. All that matters is that you are forgiven.  Now for me that is worth struggling for.

Prayer:

We thank you God for you love.  We thank you for walking with us in all of our daily struggles.  Help us to remember to put our trust in you.  Help us overcome temptation.  Help us show others the love of God.  In the name of the Risen Savior we pray.  Amen

Questions:

Are you tempted by the things of this world?  Have you asked Jesus to come into your life?  Do you understand that it isn’t material things that you need to be content?