SEPTEMBER 12, 2026 – TRULY GOD IS GOOD TO THOSE WHO ARE PURE

READ: Ps. 73:1–28: … until I understood their end … Whom have I in heaven but You? … But it is good for me to draw near to God …

Asaph doubted the LORD: is God truly good to those among His people who are faithful to Him and love Him, who are “pure” in heart, the “righteous,” who live from the forgiveness of their sins?

At first Asaph was envious of the wicked among the people. Unlike many true believers, they prosper in this life. They know no struggles and receive everything their hearts desire. Moreover, they are proud and exalt themselves above others without being punished (vv.3–9).

Conversely, Asaph himself experiences hardship in his own life, which he regards as God’s chastisement (v.14). He wonders whether possessing faith really makes any difference in this life compared with unbelief. Does God then not act against the wicked? He experiences this as a severe trial of his faith.

Yet the psalm shows that God helped Asaph in this trial, enabling him to persevere in faith through all his difficulties. The first thing Asaph mentions that kept him from renouncing the LORD was the bond of covenant and faith that united him with the other children of God: God’s people, the true Israel, the church (v.15). He desired to remain faithful to God’s church, which has been redeemed and enjoys God’s favour. Yet this alone was not sufficient, because true faith is not merely a matter of tradition.

Asaph also goes to the LORD Himself in His sanctuary. There he learns that the wicked have no glory awaiting them at their end, at their death. The eternal future of the believer is glorious, but how different it is for the wicked! God teaches him that the decision concerning one’s destiny after death is made in this life.

Now Asaph realizes how foolish he has been in his thinking. At the same time he experiences that the LORD has provided for him so that, in spite of everything, he was able to persevere in faith. God’s Holy Spirit laid hold of him and gave him insight into the mystery of faith. He strengthened his faith.

Asaph sees how careless he had been: “I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You” (v.22). Now he breaks forth in song that he cannot live without God. He desires always to remain near Him and to declare God’s mighty works.

Do we recognize the struggle described in this psalm?

Sing: Ps. 73:1,7,9