The Wicked Prosper (Psalm 73)Sample

Bursting with Hope

On May 8, 1984, Shiite Muslims in Beirut kidnapped veteran Presbyterian missionary to Lebanon, Benjamin M. Weir, at gunpoint. During his sixteen-month imprisonment, he was constantly threatened with death. On his first night in captivity, one of his abductors told him to face the wall. "Now take your blindfold off and put this on." The man handed Benjamin a pair of ski goggles with the eyeholes covered with thick plastic tape. In Weir's mind, the sun had set.  

Later Weir wrote, "I felt vulnerable, helpless, lonely. I felt tears in my eyes. Then I remembered the promise of Jesus, 'If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you.'"

He prayed, "Lord, I remember Your promise, and I think it applies to me, too. I've done nothing to deserve it but receive it as a free gift. I need You. I need Your assurance and guidance to be faithful to You in this situation. Help me to accept whatever is involved. Praise be to You."

During the following months, Benjamin Weir's hope and joy were found in the fact that he was not simply abiding in captivity. He was abiding in Christ and thus able to bear much fruit (adapted from Robert J. Morgan, Real Stories for the Soul [Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2000]). Weir learned lessons about hope like what the psalmist learned in today's verses. When Asaph took his eyes off the immediate and focused on the Lord, he could live in hope even in a hopeless situation.

Once Asaph realized the truth about the wicked and confessed his own sin, he was finally able to focus on how to live here and now with an eye on the ever after. The psalmist gained a proper perspective, understanding that the kingdom life for believers begins now but does not end at death. We have the glorious privilege of living forever in the presence of God. Note the contrast between the fate of those who "shall perish" and those who "draw near to God." This is the heart of the psalm, contrasting the fate of the wicked with the godly's. While some people may enjoy great wealth and fame in our world today, we know that we can't take it with us. We can, however, go to heaven to be with God. Asaph came to understand that only those who put their hope and trust in the Lord will find eternal life. 

Read the verses below and answer the following questions.

"Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; you have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry. But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all Your works" (Psalm 73:23-28).

Practical Observation: 

1. What two phrases vividly describe Asaph's intimate connection with God?

2. How did he express his confidence in God for this life and the life to come?

3. How do you know Asaph recognized his total dependence on God?

4. Describe his physical and emotional condition. What hope did he have despite these conditions?

5. What two groups of people did Asaph momentarily focus on, and how did he describe their fate?

6. Next Asaph's focus turned inward. What advice did he give himself?

Personal Application: 

a. The fact that God held Asaph's right hand is significant. During battle, shields were carried in the left hand, so the right side was unprotected. Holding onto or standing at a person's right hand signified support and protection. Journal about a time in your life when you experienced God's protection and support.

b. Journal a prayer of thanksgiving to God for His faithfulness in your life.

Asaph opened Psalm 73 proclaiming God's goodness. As he journeyed through the valley of despair, this truth brought him back to God's sanctuary. When the circumstances of life threaten to blind your eyes, reach for Him. You'll find He's been there all along—continually holding on to your hand.