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April 26th
Psalms 73,77,78 will be our reading today.
Each of these songs today are attributed to Asaph. He was one of the musicians of King David. Some students of scripture have “reason” to think that David was the writer and Asaph was the singer. However, the weight of tradition gives credit to Asaph for the verse and the music.
So we won't fret. We know that the songs were “God-breathed” from heaven just for us who believe Him. Thanks, Asaph...thank You, Lord, of the Song!
To the text..“Truly God is good to Israel; to those who are pure in heart...” Asaph could have been remembering what Moses wrote 400 years before. “The Lord, the Lord God, is merciful and gracious, longsuffering and “abounding” in goodness” and truth.” Ex. 34
Moses lumped merciful, gracious, longsuffering, abounding, and truth all around “God’s goodness”. Whatever goodness means, it includes an unlimited amount of mercy and grace A more than generous amount of patience and truth that sets people free.
God was “this” to Israel...God was “this” to Asaph. Asaph put his feet firmly on that truth of “God’s goodness”. Truly God “is” good! Meaning...God can never be unjust. But things happen that shake that belief.
Oh, friends, we have all had occasion to ask God the “why” question. Storms in life have had their effects upon us. Things have happened to us that we just can't understand or reconcile. I may not understand why God causes some things to happen, but I know that God is good no matter what.
Asaph almost stumbled..almost slipped from faith trying to reconcile the suffering of the righteous and the prospering of the wicked. But he didn't because of a solid scriptural truth he stood on and held to...”Truly God is good...generously good
...especially to his children...whatever that might look like.
Listen to the expansion of Asaph’s conviction of God’s goodness that protected him from the temptation to stray away from God. “Whom have I in heaven but you...there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail...but God is the “strength of my heart” and “my portion” FOREVER!”
How good was God to Asaph? God was heaven for Asaph. God was strength for Asaph’s failing health. God was Asaph’s “portion” forever...that is...God’s presence and fellowship especially in the darkest and scariest of times of life.
Yes, God is good...very good all the time...especially when life gets hard.
And as Asaph sang, “for me, for us, it is good to be near God...that we may tell of all of your good works...
Sounds like a plan...Sounds just like the gospel of Jesus Christ...our Savior for heaven...our comfort in sickness...our “everything we need” for our darkest hours...Come, Lord Jesus!
Have a great day
