The Wicked Prosper (Psalm 73)Sýnishorn

Buried in Despair

Coming from a long line of Baptist preachers, James Cash Penney had deep convictions. A hard worker, he never smoked or drank and was unwaveringly honest. During the Great Depression, Penney made a series of unwise commitments that turned sour.  

As Penney worried, he couldn't sleep, developed a painful case of shingles, and was hospitalized. Penney's despair increased, just as the psalmist described in today's verses from Psalm 73. Describing his mental state, Penney said, "I was broken nervously and physically, filled with despair, unable to see even a ray of hope. I had nothing to live for." 

One night he wrote farewell letters to his wife and sons, expecting to die before morning. He survived the night and the next morning he heard these words in song, "Be not dismayed what e'er betide; God will take care of you."

He followed the sound to the hospital chapel, where he heard the rest of the song, the Scripture reading, and then prayer. He said, "I can only call it a miracle. I felt as if I had been instantly lifted out of the darkness of a dungeon into warm, brilliant sunlight." When he died at age ninety-five, he left behind 1,660 department stores and a legacy of integrity that honors Christ to this day (adapted from Robert J. Morgan, More Real Stories for the Soul [Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2000]). If you are feeling despair, learn from the example of J. C. Penney and enter God's sanctuary to escape the darkness.

Asaph's shortsighted view of the wicked led him to such a state of self-pity that he fell into despair. The psalmist felt like there was no result of his efforts to become pure and holy. He noted how the righteous obtain from God fewer blessings than the wicked, have less happiness and less prosperity in this world, and seem to be subjected to more trouble and sorrow. Yet rather than giving into these feelings of despair, Asaph went into the temple of God where the Lord gently turned his eyes toward the light at the end of the tunnel.  

Asaph found solace in the presence of God. Where do you turn in times of despair? Seek sanctuary in the Savior.

Read the verses below and answer the following questions.

"Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence. For all day long I have been plagued, and chastened every morning. If I had said, 'I will speak thus,' behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children. When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me—until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end" (Psalm 73:13-17).

Practical Observation:

1. What two forms of purification did Asaph conclude were futile?

2. What evidence did he offer to support these conclusions?

3. Asaph began to realize that his feelings might impact others. What effect might his despair have had on God's children?  

4. How did the thought of causing others to lose faith in God affect him?

5. Where did he turn as a result of these feelings? What did he find there?

Personal Application: 

a. Because Asaph was overwhelmed by trials and the battle with his own sin, he momentarily concluded that serving God didn't pay. Describe the last time you felt overwhelmed by similar circumstances. 

b. How did you respond to these overwhelming circumstances? How could you have responded better?

Asaph made the right decision by turning to God in the valley of despair. When you're confused, beaten down, and weary, don't run away. Instead, run to His sanctuary.