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Psalm 73 Part 2 - Asaph - A new perspective toward
God and God's word.
This is Part 2 of a two-part blog. If you wish to read Part 1 please go to http://sbloemreflections.blogspot.com/2016/01/do-you-feel-short-changed-in-life-you.html
Asaph's backsliding
In the above mentioned blog, I discussed the writer Asaph's erroneous thinking in regard to his personal relationship with God. He was a singer and teacher in Israel but he began to doubt the goodness of God. He had been feeling short-changed by the LORD, when in fact the LORD was chastening Asaph for hardening his heart toward Him.
Asaph was miserable
In a more general sense, He could not reconcile a Righteous God who failed blessing the righteous and allowed the wicked to be prosperous. Asaph had lost his joy and life had become a monotonous grind.
In this blog, I am interested in the process that enabled him to get out of his present state of mind and to submit to His God.
Asaph's reflection
The way back to the Lord became evident to him when he reflected on the reason why all these things had happened to him. The (Hebrew word that is used is Chashab which means to think upon, consider, be mindful of, to reckon). In fact he says in 73:21-22, When my heart was embittered and I was pierced within, then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before You." Beasts do not have the ability to self reflect. Every thing they do is driven by instinct. It is easy in our "pace-addicted world" to rush through our days and not even think about what God may be doing in our lives. Asaph started pondering and then after being troubled he went to the temple of God. It was there that the LORD revealed to him that the wicked would be judged under the wrath of God.
Asaph further says about the wicked in
Psalm 73:18-19; "Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction. How they are destroyed in a moment!
They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!"
But that wasn't all; he had learned other things during this enlightenment by the Holy Spirit.
The first lesson. He learned that no matter what the circumstances, God was holding on to his right hand.
Another lesson was that the Lord would guide him daily by the word of God (his counsel).
A third lesson he learned was,that at the end of his life the LORD would transfer him from earth to heaven. There in Heaven, he would experience the outcome of His salvation, perfect joy and without sin.
A fourth lesson he learned was that no matter how great the perceived injustice and how deep the sorrow,the greatest thing on earth and in heaven was that he knew and loved God and needed no one else but Him.
A fifth lesson , he learned that even though his flesh and his heart failed, God was the strength of his heart and his portion forever. SB
Please see this exposition of John Gill
My flesh and my heart faileth
This may happen through strong desires of communion with God, not being realized.( see Psalm 84:2). It may also happen when we are being attacked by the devil and chastened continually Psalms 73:14 ). Again, the flesh and heart failing may come through times of heavy affliction which are brought on by the providence of God. It also can include inward trials, indwelling sin, temptations, and feelings that God has deserted you. It may be you are tried greatly being at the point of death; the heart being, as philosophers say, the first that lives, and the last that dies: (This paragraph was abridged by editor).
But God is the strength of my heart, or "the rock of my heart." When overwhelmed with distress through outward trouble or in the lowest condition with respect to spiritual things; when grace is weak, corruptions strong, temptations prevail, and afflictions are many; then does the Lord support and sustain his people, and strengthens them with strength in their souls; and in the moment of death, by showing them that its sting is taken away, and its curse removed; that their souls are going to their Lord, and about to enter into his joy; and that their bodies will rise again glorious and incorruptible.
And my portion for ever; This is both in life and at death, and to all eternity; this is a very large portion indeed; such who have it inherit all things; yea, it is immense and inconceivable; it is a soul satisfying one, and is safe and secure; it can never be taken away, nor can it be spent; it will last always; see (Psalms 142:5 ) (Lamentations 3:24 ) . John Gill's Exposition of the Bible,(public domain), edited by Steve Bloem.
I don't know if you are aware of our book, Broken Minds Hope for Healing When You Feel Like You're Losing It. It was written to have staying power. Please go to our blog page and click on "Buy Broken Minds." On that page you will find a description by others who have read Broken Minds and what it has meant to them. Please click on http://heartfeltmin.org/author-page.html. From there you can go and purchase our book.
Would you like us to come to your church or ministry and present our seminar, Whispers in the Foyer, An Honest Look at the Christian and Mental Illness?
We would also come to your bible study class or any group and share our passion for those who struggle with depression, bipolar, panic disorder, OCD and other disturbances of the mind and mood.
We are complicated beings and we don't believe that one size fits all. We hold that Christians can have depression, can take medications and can be well again. We do NOT blame the client/patient/sufferer. We have support groups operating in America and Canada and we can help you set up a group like that, too.We are passionate about being a voice and advocate for Christians who have suffered in the shadows of the church for too long! Reach out to us; let us know what you and your family are dealing with and let us come alongside and help. This is why we exist. Call and let's talk! We get it!
Do you need a support group? Our web site can tell you about it. http://www.heartfeltmin.org/resources.html
Psalm 73 Part 2 - Asaph - A new perspective toward
God and God's word.
This is Part 2 of a two-part blog. If you wish to read Part 1 please go to http://sbloemreflections.blogspot.com/2016/01/do-you-feel-short-changed-in-life-you.html
Asaph's backsliding
In the above mentioned blog, I discussed the writer Asaph's erroneous thinking in regard to his personal relationship with God. He was a singer and teacher in Israel but he began to doubt the goodness of God. He had been feeling short-changed by the LORD, when in fact the LORD was chastening Asaph for hardening his heart toward Him.
Asaph was miserable
In a more general sense, He could not reconcile a Righteous God who failed blessing the righteous and allowed the wicked to be prosperous. Asaph had lost his joy and life had become a monotonous grind.
In this blog, I am interested in the process that enabled him to get out of his present state of mind and to submit to His God.
Asaph's reflection
The way back to the Lord became evident to him when he reflected on the reason why all these things had happened to him. The (Hebrew word that is used is Chashab which means to think upon, consider, be mindful of, to reckon). In fact he says in 73:21-22, When my heart was embittered and I was pierced within, then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before You." Beasts do not have the ability to self reflect. Every thing they do is driven by instinct. It is easy in our "pace-addicted world" to rush through our days and not even think about what God may be doing in our lives. Asaph started pondering and then after being troubled he went to the temple of God. It was there that the LORD revealed to him that the wicked would be judged under the wrath of God.
The turning point for Asaph
(Psalm 73:17 tells us: "Until I came into the sanctuary of God; Then I perceived their end)." The temple was where the priests read the word of God and taught it to the people of Israel. It was there where the Thrice Holy God dwelt above the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies. Asaph further says about the wicked in
Psalm 73:18-19; "Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction. How they are destroyed in a moment!
They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!"
But that wasn't all; he had learned other things during this enlightenment by the Holy Spirit.
The first lesson. He learned that no matter what the circumstances, God was holding on to his right hand.
Another lesson was that the Lord would guide him daily by the word of God (his counsel).
A third lesson he learned was,that at the end of his life the LORD would transfer him from earth to heaven. There in Heaven, he would experience the outcome of His salvation, perfect joy and without sin.
A fourth lesson he learned was that no matter how great the perceived injustice and how deep the sorrow,the greatest thing on earth and in heaven was that he knew and loved God and needed no one else but Him.
A fifth lesson , he learned that even though his flesh and his heart failed, God was the strength of his heart and his portion forever. SB
Please see this exposition of John Gill
My flesh and my heart faileth
This may happen through strong desires of communion with God, not being realized.( see Psalm 84:2). It may also happen when we are being attacked by the devil and chastened continually Psalms 73:14 ). Again, the flesh and heart failing may come through times of heavy affliction which are brought on by the providence of God. It also can include inward trials, indwelling sin, temptations, and feelings that God has deserted you. It may be you are tried greatly being at the point of death; the heart being, as philosophers say, the first that lives, and the last that dies: (This paragraph was abridged by editor).
But God is the strength of my heart, or "the rock of my heart." When overwhelmed with distress through outward trouble or in the lowest condition with respect to spiritual things; when grace is weak, corruptions strong, temptations prevail, and afflictions are many; then does the Lord support and sustain his people, and strengthens them with strength in their souls; and in the moment of death, by showing them that its sting is taken away, and its curse removed; that their souls are going to their Lord, and about to enter into his joy; and that their bodies will rise again glorious and incorruptible.
And my portion for ever; This is both in life and at death, and to all eternity; this is a very large portion indeed; such who have it inherit all things; yea, it is immense and inconceivable; it is a soul satisfying one, and is safe and secure; it can never be taken away, nor can it be spent; it will last always; see (Psalms 142:5 ) (Lamentations 3:24 ) . John Gill's Exposition of the Bible,(public domain), edited by Steve Bloem.
I don't know if you are aware of our book, Broken Minds Hope for Healing When You Feel Like You're Losing It. It was written to have staying power. Please go to our blog page and click on "Buy Broken Minds." On that page you will find a description by others who have read Broken Minds and what it has meant to them. Please click on http://heartfeltmin.org/author-page.html. From there you can go and purchase our book.
Would you like us to come to your church or ministry and present our seminar, Whispers in the Foyer, An Honest Look at the Christian and Mental Illness?
We would also come to your bible study class or any group and share our passion for those who struggle with depression, bipolar, panic disorder, OCD and other disturbances of the mind and mood.
We are complicated beings and we don't believe that one size fits all. We hold that Christians can have depression, can take medications and can be well again. We do NOT blame the client/patient/sufferer. We have support groups operating in America and Canada and we can help you set up a group like that, too.We are passionate about being a voice and advocate for Christians who have suffered in the shadows of the church for too long! Reach out to us; let us know what you and your family are dealing with and let us come alongside and help. This is why we exist. Call and let's talk! We get it!
Do you need a support group? Our web site can tell you about it. http://www.heartfeltmin.org/resources.html
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