– April 24, 2020 –
Have you ever been a bit discouraged in your commitment to live for Christ in your business life? Especially when you see others who are sailing through this difficult period of the Pandemic, and you are having a rough time? When you see others who are bending the rules, running over people, all while seeming to prosper more than you are?
If so, you are in good company. The Psalmist Asaph had such a day many years ago, and he wrote about his struggles! It is interesting to walk with him through his thought process and to learn what he learned. If you have time, take a few minutes and read Psalm 73 before proceeding.
PSALM 73
His story unfolds in four parts.
1. Asaph starts with a lament that he is frustrated with how others get by with things and are doing better than he was doing. In v. 3 he acknowledged these feelings:
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“For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”
It is a good idea to start where he started, to acknowledge how you feel. We can’t address an issue we don’t acknowledge we have!
2. Then he starts down a dangerous path. He says in v. 13,
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“Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence.”
It seems like he was getting ready to join the others, to give up on his path of commitment. Have you ever thought this way? I think Asaph is saying, “I wonder if I am wasting my time trying to live the right way in this broken world.”
But he was stopped in his tracks. He goes on to acknowledge what stopped him in v. 16-17 when he said:
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“When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God”
This is what KIROS is trying to do for Christians in business. To come aside and seek to gain God’s perspective on our work in business. Our work is a high calling from God. We are not here just making it on our own. This is holy ground. In the presence of God our perceptions can be changed!
3. What impact did coming into the presence of God have on his view of work in a broken world? His first thought, not his final thought, starts in v. 17-19:
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“…then I understood their final destiny. Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!”
Asaph comes to the conclusion that while the others are prospering now, their destruction is coming. They are going to get what is coming to them. Sometimes there is a certain satisfaction in knowing that others won’t be doing better than us.
But in the sanctuary of God, this is not the final thought.
4. He concludes not with what will happen to them, but what God has called him to do and be. He recognizes the importance of being and doing what God wants him for him. In verses 23, 28 he states his updated conclusion:
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“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand….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.”
Yes, it is tough at this time. But as you go about your work this week, take a moment to invite God into your work, to gain his perspective. It will be life changing for you, and will shine through to others!
Al Erisman, KIROS Board
