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5/20 Reading Portions: Numbers 29; Psalm 73; Isaiah 21; 2 Peter 2
Psalm 73:3
For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
ENVY
Although God is good to His people (Psa 73:1a), to those who are saved by His amazing and glorious grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Psa 73:1b), one of the reasons we almost stumble in faith (Psa 73:2a), that the beautiful feet of our gospel testimony nearly slips (Psa 73:2b), is because we are envious of the wicked in their arrogance, especially when we see their prosperity. “Why should they prosper?” we sometimes wonder. But like the psalmist who is awakened by the Holy Spirit, we must recognize that their prosperity shows how devious they are; indeed, how devious we once were apart from the grace of God in Jesus Christ. They blaspheme both God’s creation and His eternal abode (Psa 73:9a) while their tongues presumptuously blather on as they walk arrogantly upon the earth (Psa 73:9b). We must remind ourselves that the wicked are recipients of God’s merciful blessings upon the earth, even though they utterly hate Him, reject His Christ, and grieve His Holy Spirit. Because they take God’s incredible, yet simple blessings for granted, viz., the air we breathe, the food we eat, the sun that shines, and the rain that makes green and brings growth, those who are far from God will eternally perish (Psa 73:27). While on earth, they receive God’s grace and mercy, but they do not know God’s grace and mercy. Because we knew not God’s grace and mercy until the Spirit of Christ awakened our souls to God’s grace and powerful love, we should not exert a righteous indignation toward them. For we are not in the place of God. We know not the end from the beginning. We pray for the lost, but not to the disregard of or detriment to God’s holy justice and judgment (Psa 73:16-22). In all things, may God be glorified through Christ; and may we, His people, be submissive to Him in all things, saying, “Yea, and amen!”
O, my soul, why are you envious
Of unbelievers’ health and wealth?
Set your sight on Christ, all glorious;
Exalting Him’s your only help.