Skip to content

Truly God is Good

By David Robinson/ August 9, 2015

Series  Meditations on the Psalms

Context  Westminster Chapel Toronto

Topic  Discipleship

Scripture  Psalms 73

The tension between what we experience in the world and what we believe to be true by faith is resolved by knowing that God is guiding our lives toward glory.

Scripture:  Psalm 73

Sermon Notes:

  1. Asaph was the chief musician who orchestrated praise in the temple.
  2. There is often a tension between what we experience in the world and what we believe to be true by faith.
  3. In the walk of faith, Asaph was distracted and he nearly slipped.
  4. It is easy to become envious of the prosperity of the wicked.
  5. The fruit of prosperity is often ungodly pride and prestige; rather than showing gratitude to God, the wicked blaspheme God.
  6. The wicked mock, slander and threaten. Their emphasis is boastful speech. They cast doubt upon the hope of the righteous.
  7. Envy corrodes the soul, and gives a distorted view of reality; it rots the bones (Proverbs 14:30).
  8. Envy believes the lie that wealth is the goal in life
  9. The ultimate good is to dwell with God (cf. Psalm 15).
  10. The effect of envy distorts our sense of what is truly good.
  11. Asaph holds his tongue from expressing his doubts openly out of a sense of duty as a leader of God's people. 
  12. We need to avoid casting our own doubts upon the faith of our children, unbelievers, or those weak in the faith.
  13. Things are clarified for Asaph as he spends time with God's people and under God's word.
  14. Finally, in the sanctuary the Psalmist sees with clarity the destruction that waits the wicked:  they sit at ease, but in a moment they will be swept away by God's judgment.
  15. In His patience God allows the wicked time for repentance.  God is all-knowing and He is a just judge.
  16. The psalmist recognizes his sin and folly; he had embittered himself; he had pricked his own heart.
  17. God is holding us and guiding our lives toward glory.
  18. We anticipate being received into glory and welcomed into God's presence.
  19. We will be transformed to be like Christ (1 John 3:2-3; Philippians 3:21; Ephesians 5:27).
  20. We look forward to God's commendation: “well done good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).
  21. Finally, Asaph is ready to publicly declare the works of God (1 Peter 2:9).

Application Questions:

  1. Why are we tempted to envy the wicked?
  2. What is the correct orientation when assessing material prosperity of others?
  3. How can we avoid spreading our own doubts to weaker Christians around us?
  4. What is the end of the wicked?
  5. What is the ultimate hope of God’s people?
  6. Have we been transformed to publicly declare the works of God?