Psalm 73: 2–20 (NKJV)
“But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped.
For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
For there are no pangs in their death, But their strength is firm.
They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like other men.
Therefore pride serves as their necklace; Violence covers them like a garment.
Their eyes bulge with abundance; They have more than heart could wish.
They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression; They speak loftily.
They set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue walks through the earth.
Therefore his people return here, And waters of a full cup are drained by them.
And they say, “How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?”
Behold, these are the ungodly, Who are always at ease; They increase in riches.
Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, And washed my hands in innocence.
For all day long I have been plagued, And chastened every morning.
If I had said, “I will speak thus,” Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.
When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me —
Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end.
Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction.
Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.
As a dream when one awakes, So, Lord, when You awake, You shall despise their image.”
People of the world around us can sometimes look like they have it all. Fantastic houses, great careers, fast cars, good looks, amazing wardrobes, holidays when they want it, plenty of money, seemingly happy with no problems whatsoever, they get away with everything. The advent of social media has made it even worse, making it look like life for the world out there is perfect.
Sometimes it can look like you are missing out on all the fun and the good things of life. Your mates are seemingly miles ahead of you with their achievements. You can look at yourself as a believer and think is this Christian life worth it? Is this life of picking your cross and following Jesus really necessary? You can feel like you have been short changed and begin to lust after the world and all it seemingly has to offer.
At times like this, it is important that we draw close to the Lord in the place of prayer and His word, and receive His perspective of things. One way we are to do that is to make being in God’s house a priority. When we come into the House of the Lord, we encounter Him through the ministry that takes place there. The ministry of the word, prayer, the Holy Spirit, praise and worship, encouragement / comfort etc. Through God’s ministry that we receive in His sanctuary, our eyes are open to see and know the truth. The truth sets us free from every lie of the enemy, that makes us feel the world has something good to offer us. In the house of the Lord, we gain true understanding of the things happening around us. We see the end picture from God’s eyes and our hearts are put to rest. The result is that we get to know God a bit deeper and we trust Him more.
So, do not despise being in the house of the Lord. Don’t let it become something of convenience. You only do it when it is convenient for you. God has a reason why He calls us to come into His house. The Psalmist said, I was glad when they said let us go into the house of the Lord.
Dear sister, keep coming into the Lord’s sanctuary (His presence) with an open heart, and He will lead you into a place of deeper love, trust and knowledge of Himself.