Psalm 73

For the last month or so, I've been in a pretty unworshipful state, and haven't had the will for any deep theological reflections. But God is faithful (1 Cor 10:13) and ever draws me when I wander astray (Luke 15).

I'm still not particularly ready to reflect too much, but I wanted to share a lyric that touched me today.

I've had enough of living life for only me
And reaching just for the things that keep destroying me
So sick of envying the lives of so many I see
Somehow believing that they have what I need

My God's enough for me
This world has nothing I need
In this whole life I've seen
My God's enough, enough for me

I can't explain why I suffer though I live for You
Those who deny You, they have it better than I do
Cover my eyes now, so that my heart can finally see
That in the end, only You mean anything

Who have I in heaven but You?
-- BarlowGirl, Another Journal Entry, "Psalm 73"

In Psalm 73, Asaph writes

Surely God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
I had nearly lost my foothold.
For I envied the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Their mouths lay claim to heaven,
and their tongues take posession of the earth.
Therefore their people turn to them
and drink up waters in abundance.
They say, "How can God know?
Does the Most High have knowledge?"

This is what the wicked are like --
always carefree, they increase in wealth.

Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever

Those who are far from you will perish;
you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.
--Psalm 73:1-3, 9-12, 23-28

While the details may have changed over the millenia since this was written, it is still the truth. I've found myself tempted to deny God for the sake of what seem like relatively petty sins. And in some measure (particularly the bratty child one) I feel like I have it better when I give in to that temptation, and that God's Law is "oppressive" (Psalm 73:16). Indeed, there seemed to be no immediate consequence - afterall, it was just between God and myself, and He didn't seem to be sending any lightning bolts my way. But we have plenty of assurance that it does matter. Jesus taught "If you love me, you will obey what I command" (John 14:15). Modus Tollens easily proves that one who does not obey, does not love God. "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other" (Matthew 6:24). Finally, The first letter of John teaches "We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands" (1 John 2:3), and later "This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome" (1 John 5:3).

Clearly, God takes this whole thing seriously. To relate back to the song, 2 Corinthians 5:7 says "We live by faith, not by sight." May God cover my eyes so that my heart can truly see that in the end, only God means anything. This world has nothing I need.