If God is good then why?

Day 3

Psalm 73

The author is Asaph who was the choir leader. His life was a ministry life, working with people in the sanctuary and singing the praises of God.  He knew the scriptures and was well versed in the laws of the Israelites. The Psalm begins with a confident profession. He had been taught that God is good to the righteous.  If you do the right thing then everything is going to be alright.

Surely God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart. Vs 1

Quickly however we see his playlist of offenses begin to pile up.

They are making money, they have NO struggles, they are bad, evil etc. etc. etc. I love how The Message says it,

"What’s going on here? Is God out to lunch?
Nobody’s tending the store.
The wicked get by with everything;
they have it made, piling up riches.

We have all had these questions! If God is good then why.......?

Last year a good friend was given the deadly and painful diagnosis of cancer. She is now with the Lord. Children are abused and trafficked all over the world, my mom has dementia.  It all leaves me with the same questions that Asaph struggled with. If God is surely good then why are these bad thing happening?

I love His honesty! In verse 16 he shares his deep concern.

 When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply

A couple of takeaways from these verses.

Life is hard! Just because you are a Christian does not mean that your life will be easy, unhindered and profitable. The wicked may still prosper, for a season. It is ok to come before the Lord with you questions and disappointments.

Then in verse 17 we see the change begin to take place

 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny Vs 17

When Asaph refers to going into the sanctuary, he is coming before the presence of God.  Something happens when we take our grudges, disappointments, sufferings, sickness before the Lord. We begin to understand what was foreign to us before.

It is there Asaph saw the provision of God for His people, It is there that he began to see things with spiritual eyes. All of a sudden he saw the whole picture.

When we look at verses 23-26 we see the real example of God's goodness

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Prayer

Father, you are always GOOD, even when we don't understand suffering, or wickedness. You are GOOD. Thank you for taking care of your people, for being our strength, for preparing a place for us and for extending grace to us when we ask questions that may appear to be foolish. Like Asaph may we be able to declare, But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.