January 26, 2027
Daily Devotional:
“When the Heart Grows Bitter”
Psalm 73:21–22
"When my soul was embittered and I was pierced within, I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before You."
Have you ever looked around and felt like the "wrong" people were winning? Have you ever felt that living a life of integrity was a waste of time because those who cut corners seem more successful, happier, or more comfortable? If so, you are in good company. The writer of this Psalm, gets raw and honest here. He admits that he let his heart become embittered. The word in context for"pierced" in this verse refers to a sharp, stinging pain, the kind of resentment that eats at you from the inside out. The confession is a powerful warning that bitterness blinds us.
When we focus on what others have or how unfair life seems, we become "senseless." We lose our spiritual perspective. It says he acted like a "beast", relying on raw emotion and instinct rather than trust in God’s sovereignty. He was so focused on the temporary prosperity of others that he forgot his own eternal security.
The beauty of Psalm 73 is that it doesn't end in the pit of bitterness. Later, the writer enters the "sanctuary of God" and remembers the big picture. But first, he had to admit exactly where he was hurt, bitter, and struggling tounderstand.
In pure honesty with God, He can handle our frustration. The author didn’t hide his bitterness; he confessed it, which opened the door for healing. There is danger in comparison. Comparing our "behind-the-scenes" with someone else’s "highlight reel" is a fast track to a pierced heart. Bitterness makes us "ignorant" of God's presence. When we feel bitter, it’s a signal that we need to shift ourgaze back to the Sanctuary.
Is there a situation or a person you are currently resentful toward? Does it feel like your heart is "pierced" when you think about their success or your own struggle?
Today, take that bitterness to God. Admit it plainly, just as the author in the psalm did. Ask the Holy Spirit to move you from the "beast-like" reaction of envy to the spiritual peace of knowing that God is your portion. Remember: their "win" is not your "loss" when your treasure is in Heaven.
