Psalm Chapter 73

A Psalm of Asaph.

Psalm 73:1 Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.

God provided a wonderful way for all to have a clean heart. In the Old Testament they were saved by faith in God and trusting God to provide salvation and deliverance. After Jesus came and gave the supreme offering for sins, the way is to look back to the first coming of Jesus Christ and believe on Him, renouncing sin and trusting Him for salvation.

Animal sacrifices are no longer needed because the sacrifice of Jesus paid for all sin past and present. In order for this sacrifice to count on our behalf we must receive it. A free gift isn't really ours until we receive it. To receive something we first must believe the giver wants us to have it and take it by meeting the conditions. The conditions being recognition that we are lost and in need of a savior, repent of sin and receive Jesus Christ the perfect offering for sin.

When they made animal sacrifices for sin in the Old Testament, they were actually repenting of sin and looking forward to the time when God would send the perfect offering that would not only take away sins but provide a measure of the Holy Spirit to abide with each and every believer to confirm that God is indeed with us to enable us to overcome sin.

We do not ever have to be alone. The Holy Spirit is a gift from God to abide with us forever. Sin separates us from this gift so we must repent of sin and get that out of the way before we receive the Holy Spirit. After coming to Christ we can always be filled with the Holy Spirit and learn to walk in the ways of the Lord. It is power to witness and proclaim the word of God to others.

Psalm 73:2 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 other men.
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 in riches.
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.

This should put to rest any nonsense about a prosperity gospel or doctrine. The wicked may seem to prosper, get rich and be free to do evil to the poor, the weak and defenseless. However, unless they repent and find Jesus as savior, all they will ever have is what they attain in this life only. At the point of physical death, everything they have is lost forever and left to others. They then spend eternity in hell and torment forever.

Don't take my word for this. It is in God's word. Any person who repents of sin and comes to Jesus escapes this fate and is granted eternal life in the presence of God.

When we read God's word we see that the wicked are only temporary. Where is Hitler today? He was brought down and so will all other evil dictators. We will end up the same as they if we do not repent and let God remove the sin that sends us into eternity without God.

Psalm 73:18 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.

For those that trust in God, He is there to continually guide us and at the point of physical death enter into His glory which lasts forever and we never die.

We don't have to wait until we are at the point of death to receive this constant fellowship with God. Sin separates us from His fellowship but Jesus came to mend that fellowship that was broken in the garden of Eden. Jesus came to pay the price for and take away the sin that separates us from God.

We can actually know God personally and daily walk with Him as Enoch and Elijah. We don't have to be anyone great or special. What a wonderful promise. This is why Jesus came. This is why He suffered so that we might have eternal life. We don't have to die in sin now. We can be free.

Other religions cannot save the soul from sin. Other religions rely on good works and deeds to cause one to have a good afterlife. Jesus brings salvation by removing our sin, uniting us with God and giving us the promise of eternal life. God sent Him for that purpose. There is no other way to get rid of sin. If we die in sin, we are separated from God in hell forever.

Psalm 73:25 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.

The reason this happens is that God has to finally stop all sin. It will not continue forever. He is giving us a chance to repent of sin and be part of His kingdom. One day He is sending Jesus back to us to get rid of all sin and set up an everlasting kingdom with no sin and evil. We can be part of this or refuse this. If we remain in our sins and do not accept God's plan of salvation then we will not be able to enter into the kingdom where sin will never enter. Hell is a place where sinners go so that they cannot defile the earth anymore with their rebellion and sin. It is our choice whether to remain in sin or accept God's way out of sin. DC

Psalm 73:28 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.

We need to declare this to all nations.

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Psalm 74

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