Psalm 73:1-17
Today we begin Book 3 of the Psalms. Of the 73 psalms for which David is noted as the author, only 18 are in Books 3-5, meaning that 55 of the 72 psalms that we have seen thus far are ascribed to David. So we can expect to see very different psalms as we move forward from what we’ve been reading.
Today’s Psalm 73 sounds a lot like Job, especially verses 3-12 where the author is decrying the (apparent) success of the wicked, even to the point of expressing his own jealousy in verses 13-14. But then he catches himself in verses 16-17: But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. I think there’s a message for us here. There’s something different about us going “into the sanctuary of God”. Today being Sunday, that’s a good reflection. I’m not suggesting that simply going to church is a be-all-end-all. But there’s something very different between “in-church” and “tv-church”. Being together in a body of believers fills us with a special grace that we just can’t get if we behave as isolated Christians.
I think these reflections are in me today because I will not be in our church building this morning. But also, I will not be an isolation Christian. I will watch our service on my computer, wishing that I were there, but also seeing multiple dozens of dear friends who will be praying for me this week. I cannot express to you all how important, how fulfilling that is to me. It’s open-heart surgery tomorrow and I’ll be in the surgical team’s hands for what my surgeon has said is a low-risk (1%) operation. But I will also be in God’s hands, His will to be accomplished as He chooses. I look forward to being with you again!!