by Maureen Totterer

Created on: November 19, 2008   Last Updated: January 11, 2011

Some people go through life with nary a snag. It seems that everything they touch turns to gold. Things comes so easy to them. Does God love some more than others? It may seem that way but scripture tells us different. "...for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." Psalm 145 tells us, "The Lord is good to all and His tender mercies are over all His works."

But why do some people suffer sickness, tragedy and unexpected death? Suffering plagues them everywhere they turn until they begin to resemble Job from the Old Testament. Is that fair?

Psalm 73 reveals the answer. A psalm written by Asaph, a Levite who led one of the temple choirs, we see his problems emerge from the beginning verses.

 "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. Their eyes bulge with abundance; they have more than heart could wish."

"Behold, these are the ungodly, who are always at ease; they increase in riches."

Psalm 73 shows the results of allowing one's faith in God to be buried under self-pity. Do we wallow in self-pity or do we honestly examine ourselves and ask God to cleanse our hearts from all unrighteousness? Asaph gives us a glimpse into his self-righteousness and perceived injustices in verse 13.

"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."

Asaph doesn't understand why God is mistreating him in favor of the ungodly. But something happens in verse 17.

"It was too painful for me until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end."

A whole new attitude emerges, a change of heart which transforms the psalm into a song of praise for God and his love. Asaph finally realizes he belongs to God. Nothing else matters. Like a child running home from the storm, God's children run to God in times of trouble.

"I was foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You. Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me by Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory."

We trust God in everything he does because he is our Father in heaven.

"Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

And what about the others?

"For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish;" Asaph concludes by saying all who abandon God for their own idols will eventually endure eternal death. Instead of God loving some more than others, the question seems to emerge, "Do some love the things of the world more than God?"

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