Reflection and Worship Day: Psalm 73

During this series, we will be exploring reasons we may feel distant from God. Seeing that this ministry is all about helping to create a connection with God, we wanted to take you through some different practices to help you explore your life and the things that hinder you from experiencing God’s presence in your life.

Each Wednesday, you will receive a scripture to read, a series of reflection questions, and a link to a worship song. Take time to read or listen through the scripture and note any key points that stick out to you. This is often how God speaks to us, so pay close attention and listen for those moments that make you excited, scared, convicted, or encouraged. The reflection questions supplied will guide you into a time of thinking about how and why it is important to seek God’s presence in our lives. And then finally there will be a link to a YouTube video with worship music. This is supplied to create time to pray and seek God. You can use your own music or sit in silence but be sure to close your time by asking God to draw near to you.

I pray that as you explore what it means to be close to God and why we sometimes feel distant, it creates a hunger for more of God’s presence in your life.
 

Psalm 73
 
Truly God is good to Israel,
    to those whose hearts are pure.
But as for me, I almost lost my footing.
    My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.
For I envied the proud
    when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
They seem to live such painless lives;
    their bodies are so healthy and strong.
They don’t have troubles like other people;
    they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.
They wear pride like a jeweled necklace
    and clothe themselves with cruelty.
These fat cats have everything
    their hearts could ever wish for!
They scoff and speak only evil;
    in their pride they seek to crush others.
They boast against the very heavens,
    and their words strut throughout the earth.
And so the people are dismayed and confused,
    drinking in all their words.
“What does God know?” they ask.
    “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?”
Look at these wicked people—
    enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.
 
Did I keep my heart pure for nothing?
    Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?
I get nothing but trouble all day long;
    every morning brings me pain.
 
If I had really spoken this way to others,
    I would have been a traitor to your people.
So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper.
    But what a difficult task it is!
Then I went into your sanctuary, O God,
    and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.
Truly, you put them on a slippery path
    and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.
In an instant they are destroyed,
    completely swept away by terrors.
When you arise, O Lord,
    you will laugh at their silly ideas
    as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.
 
Then I realized that my heart was bitter,
    and I was all torn up inside.
I was so foolish and ignorant—
    I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.
Yet I still belong to you;
    you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
    leading me to a glorious destiny.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
    I desire you more than anything on earth.
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
    but God remains the strength of my heart;
    he is mine forever.
 
Those who desert him will perish,
    for you destroy those who abandon you.
But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
    I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,
    and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.


Reflection Questions

Do you ever find yourself feeling envious of things you may lack, like money, status, or things that culture deems “necessary”? When we have God, we lack nothing because He is our Provider. Today, how can you direct your attention back to God and be reminded that He and He alone is enough to sustain you forever?


Song

Jireh | Elevation Worship