A new perspective is hard to come by when life seems unfair. Disillusionment clouds our thinking; all we can see is the injustice around us.
We grumble that we didn’t get the promotion or contract.
We live as upright citizens yet get an unexpected income tax statement saying we owe more.
The person across from us appears to be prospering while we are barely holding on.
Unmet expectations clash with the reality of day to day life. Disillusionment sets in.
Life seems unfair.
We can’t control the situations, but we can control our response. Choose faith.
Psalm 73 provides an example of someone who looked at life’s injustices while others prospered, yet got a new perspective of hope.
Asaph, the author of Psalm 73, was the worship leader in the time of King David. He spent his life serving the Lord as a skilled musician at the tabernacle.
The psalm begins with stating a truth about God’s character.
Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. Psalm 73:1
Asaph began by recalling the reality of God’s goodness. When times get tough, it is easy for us to forget that God is good.
In the next verses, he complains of the unfairness of life, looking at those around him with envy. He sees the prosperity of the wicked. He compares his life to the lives of others and comes up short. As a result, his heart turned bitter, distorting his perspective of the goodness of God.
I can almost here him ask, “God, I serve you, so when will I prosper? Why the wicked and not me?” His expectations of God’s goodness had not been met.
Asaph’s honesty prepared the way for a change of perspective.
Near the middle of the Psalm, Asaph took action that restored his hope, drawing him back to God.
He went to the sanctuary to seek counsel from the Lord. (v.17) He released his disillusionment to God and embraced faith.
The Psalmist lifted his eyes to God in heaven instead of looking at the people and situations that caused distress and envy.
Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. Psalm 73:25
Asaph recalled the truth of God’s sovereignty and provision, making a statement of faith as he refocused his perspective on God. He exchanged his disillusionment for faith in God’s plan.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
He used the phrase “but God” to reframe his perspective. When I’ve struggled and felt weak, I’ve come back to that phrase, remembering that God works in ways that I do not see. I can’t, but God can. I can rest in His sovereignty.
People and seasons of life change, but God remains the same.
Asaph concluded with the promise of God’s protection.
But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works. Psalm 73:28
Psalm 73 teaches us how to regain a perspective of hope when life seems unfair.
We can learn from Asaph how to change our perspective by placing our focus back on God’s character. In seeking God as our refuge, we gain his insights and perspective. He restores our hope.
