Devotionals

Perspective

by Leona Mingo
08/19/26
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“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 have set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. Thus my heart was grieved, and I was vexed in my mind. I was so 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 with Your counsel, and afterwards receive me to glory.” Psalm 73: 16-18, 21-24

The psalmist is coming to the conclusion that it is folly for him to be so pre-occupied with the ungodly; that this was a mystery too complex for him to solve. To put his thoughts into perspective he needed to draw close to the God of the godly (Who is the God of the ungodly also, though they deny it). With insight gained he could grasp the reality of their dangerous position and their ultimate end.

He is honest about his foolishness and ignorance in wasting his time in envy of such a pitiful group as those who spurn his God. He says that he, although he had access to his God, was as the beast that has no line of communication with its Maker. The beast cannot grasp the higher purposes of God, nor has the capacity to even want to.

Let the world carry on as it does, nevertheless the psalmist knew that he could rely on the presence of God with him at all times. He really could ask for nothing better than to have his hand in His hand. Counsel was readily available for his guidance here and at the end of it all, heaven awaited him. His envy of the ungodly truly was foolish.

Because I am continually in the presence of my God and He has my hand in His and His guiding counsel is readily available to me in His Word by His Spirit, and His reception of me into glory is guaranteed, it is beyond foolish of me to think that anyone could have it any better than that. May the Lord keep me from such a waste of precious time in thinking otherwise, by His grace and for His glory.