But As For Me

Psalm 73 was written for everyone who has ever wondered why evil men prosper and why godly people often struggle. The psalmist begins: "Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked" (Psalm 73:1-3).

He complains that they don't seem to struggle as he does even while the evil they do increases. He wonders if he serves God in vain; he feels like he's being punished. Then he goes into God's presence and said, "Then I understood their final destiny" (Psalm 73:17).

He completes this psalm (73:23-28) with praise:

Yet I am always with you;
You hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
And afterward you will take me into glory.

Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart
And my portion forever.

Those who are far from you will perish;
You destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.

Anyone who has trusted and worshipped God for very long at all can identify with the doubts of this psalmist. But at the same time, we also can look back at many answered prayers. We all have at least one story of God's special goodness to us beyond the usual common grace we experience. Each one can tell of God's good deeds here in this life as we wait for the promised glory.