Read Psalm 73:1-28

One of my family’s favorite pastimes is to watch the old comedy show starring Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore. We actually own the complete series of the Dick Van Dyke Show and it’s not uncommon to hear a quote from an episode slipped into one of our family conversations. During the opening credits of various shows, Dick Van Dyke trips over the ottoman. His slap stick agility makes him such a great performer.

We often laugh at people tripping in a comedy routine, but it’s not a laughing matter when someone stumbles on the road of life. Psalm 73 is our road sign that we must heed. Warning: “Danger! Slippery rocks ahead.” The rocks labeled “envy” and “despair” impeded his walk with God. He looked around and saw the prosperity of the wicked. He envied the life they lived with ease. Around the corner of the verses, I can hear him cry out that life is not fair. Why did he work so hard to keep his heart pure? The Message Bible doesn’t beat around the bush. “I’ve been stupid to play by the rules; what has it gotten me? A long run of bad luck, that’s what- a slap in the face every time I walk out the door.”  Let’s be honest. At some point in life, that has probably been the echo of our own hearts. Fortunately the writer of this Psalm heeded the warning sign and verse two tells us that he came close to stumbling over the rocks of envy and despair, but God caught him.

Peter also slipped but was caught by God. A giant wave of fear quickly changed his course. Strong willed, determined Peter lost sight of Jesus when he focused on the circumstances that surrounded him, but Jesus caught him by the hand. I wonder if after that miraculous encounter, Peter remembered the words of David in Psalm 37? He shall not be hurled headlong; because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.

The valuable lesson of staying on course is,  “Don’t focus on the problem, focus on His presence.” Verse 17 is the transitional verse. Until I came into the sanctuary of God. Until. It’s a conjunction, a connection between the woes of the first sixteen verses and the Psalmist’s new perspective. When our eyes are focused on Him, our feet will not stumble.

Rocks, waves, and storms will inevitably be in our path of life. Remember, the Lord is with you and holds your hand. Just as the song writer penned almost one hundred years ago, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face.” The Psalmist concluded, “But as for me, the nearness of God is my good.” Psalm 73:28

His presence is greater than any problem.

Questions to consider:

• What rocks or waves tend to cause me to stumble? Envy? Despair? Fear?
• How am I heeding God’s warnings?
• When life seems unfair, who or what do I turn to?
• How can I live in God’s presence today?

 Charline Engle