Psalm 73:2–3: “But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; / My steps had nearly slipped. / For I was envious of the boastful, / When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”

March 19th, 2024 by Pastor Ed in devotional

We have difficulty understanding why wicked people are so often successful. They are boastful and even blasphemous against God, yet their lives seem to be prosperous and comfortable. This is what the psalmist Asaph was writing about in Psalm 73. He said that he almost sinned as he looked at the wicked. He was jealous of them because it seemed like they were pulling it off, getting away with every kind of evil thing. They never got sick or had any troubles; they had more than their hearts could desire. That is how it seemed to him until he went into the temple. As he considered eternity, he realized what their end would be when they finally stood before God.

Charles G. Finney, who has been called the most influential evangelist in history, had a similar encounter with the reality of eternity before he was saved. Finney had been a brilliant law student and had just passed the bar with a promising career ahead. Just before graduation, he visited a respected lawyer’s office for an interview. “What are you going to do after graduation?” the lawyer asked. “Practice law,” Finney answered. “Then what?” “Get rich.” “Then what?” “Travel and see the world.” “Then what?” “Retire” “Then what?” “Travel some more.” “Then what?” “Well . . . die.” “Then what?” There was a long pause, and then to Finney’s horror, he heard the word “judgment” come out of his mouth. He thought about it, and said it 3 more times: “Judgment, judgment, judgment.” He quickly excused himself and walked half a mile into a nearby wooded area, where for the rest of the day he considered the truth that he would one day face God Almighty and eternity. It was at that point that he dedicated his life to Jesus Christ and served Him from that day forward. He served the Lord with every ounce of his strength and his service changed his generation.

“LORD, when we consider eternity we also tremble and cry out for Your mercy and grace.”