When God Makes a “Mistake”
January 17, 2011
Dear Friends,
There are times in our life when we may feel like God has let us down or that He doesn’t really know what He is doing. It is recorded that some of the greatest people in the Bible felt like God had somehow made a mistake in their lives. These momentary lapses in faith are regrettable, but common. In fact, the Bible handles this issue over and over because God knows we are going to feel like this sometimes.
In Psalm 73, Asaph gives us a very uplifting insight into his own wrestling with thoughts about God letting him down. Let’s take a look and see if we can’t use Asaph’s words to comfort us the next time we feel the same way.
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. (vvs. 1-3 NIV)
Asaph’s issue is that he sees wicked people thriving. In Asaph’s world view, good things should happen to good people and bad things should happen to bad people. He has adopted what is in modern times referred to as “prosperity theology.” Of course, God’s world doesn’t work like this. Asaph seems to think he has a better idea for how the universe should be run than God. This is a common plight that befalls man. Notice that in hindsight Asaph recognizes that false theology almost caused him to fall.
In the next verses, notice how Asaph lays out the lies he was telling himself. We will highlight a few. These things are simply not true, but Asaph had convinced himself of their verity.
They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. (vvs. 4-5)
This is what the wicked are like- always carefree, they increase in wealth. (v. 12)
Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence. (v. 13)
Asaph, like all of us, is plagued by the deceitful, lying heart that Jeremiah speaks of when he says “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” (Jer. 17:9) These lies we tell ourselves steal our joy and contentment. We need to prepare ourselves in advance for these times when the circumstances of life cause us to lose our joy and start to question God. It is only by a strong faith in God’s faithfulness, goodness and love that we can overcome this lying mind. Without this fallback position, we risk being destroyed by the lies. Notice the effect it had on Asaph.
When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me (v. 16)
When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.(vvs. 21-22)
Asaph turns to God, though, and finds solace in the Temple. He realizes in the end that God knows exactly what He is doing. He finds comfort and peace in God.
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. (vvs. 23-26)
As we struggle through life and start to question God, may we all conclude like Asaph that God is our strength, our protector and has our best interests at heart in all the circumstances of our life. God knows exactly what He is doing even though we might not understand it.
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. (vvs. 27-28)
Have a great week,
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