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.”

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Psalms 73 KJV

¹ Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.   

² But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.

³ For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

⁴ For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. 

⁵ They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like othermen.  

⁶ Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.

⁷ Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

⁸ They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.

⁹ They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

¹⁰ Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.

¹¹ And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?

¹² Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase inriches.

¹³ Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.

¹⁴ For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. 

¹⁵ If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.

¹⁶ When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; 

¹⁷ Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

¹⁸ Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

¹⁹ How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

²⁰ As a dream when one awaketh; so , O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

²¹ Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.

²² So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.  

²³ Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.

²⁴ Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but thee ? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

²⁶ My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 

²⁷ For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.

²⁸ But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.