Devotional: Disillusioned With God?
Psalm 73
When we see how the wealthy and powerful abuse others and still prosper, enjoying health and wealth and glamorous living, we may start wondering about God. During a difficult time in life when we are suffering, the questions may intensify. We have tried to live justly, with regard for God and others, but there seems to be no reward for righteous living. Everything we previously believed about God was solid ground for life, but now it seems that our feet are slipping, and we are in danger of falling into despair and hopelessness. We try to reason it all out, but only get a headache instead of answers.
Psalm 73 describes the experience of a faithful person struggling with these issues. The turning point came when the Psalmist “entered the sanctuary of God.” (Psalms 73:17) There God encountered him and gave him a glimpse of how things will ultimately be. It was as if he had a private showing of God’s great film, “The Story of Planet Earth.” God showed him some scenes from the end of the film. He saw that it was the wicked whose feet will slip in the end, and they will be swept away. Then he saw the little portion of the film that was his life. He saw that God was always with him, holding him by the hand. He saw God guiding him through this life, and taking him beyond this life into his eternal destiny in God’s glory.
Oops! The Psalmist became aware that when his heart was troubled and his spirit embittered, he had made judgments on how God runs the universe from his very limited perspective. It was as if he had viewed only a small film clip and made a judgment on the whole movie. “I was senseless and ignorant,” he confessed to God. (Psalms 73:22)
What changed for the Psalmist? He didn’t exactly receive an answer from God, but the view of things from God’s perspective changed his view of life. Knowing that God’s justice and right order will ultimately prevail, he could be satisfied for the duration of his earthly life with the assurance of God’s presence. As he tasted of that presence, he experienced a satisfaction unlike any other. When he saw the glory that awaited him beyond this life, he was overwhelmed with God’s goodness. “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.” (Psalm 73:25)
The Psalm raises questions for us when we are disillusioned with God.
Will we continue to “enter the sanctuary of God”?
For the Psalmist, the sanctuary was probably the temple, where the faithful people of God gathered and worship was offered. In our disillusionment, we may want to separate ourselves from the gathered community. Faithfulness in worship was a key for the Psalmist, and may be for us as well.
Are we willing to stay engaged with God until we know that God has responded?
Despite his disillusionment, the Psalmist continued to wrestle with the questions and seek God’s wisdom. The Psalmist did not turn away from God, but expressed his confusion and anger to God.
Are we willing to be addressed in whatever way God chooses?
The response may not be a direct “answer” to the questions we have been raising. The response may be an amazing surprise.
Can we express the desire to value God above all else?
Even if we have doubts about God, can we offer the Psalmist’s statement, “Earth has nothing I desire besides you”, as our own prayer? If we pray to want to want God, our hearts will open to God. As we experience more of the fullness of God’s presence, we may gradually realize that we do desire God himself.
The heart that desires God will not be disappointed.
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