You've taken my hand

This Psalm was written by Asaph.  Asaph's job was to prophesy in David's court to the lute and harp.  This is another new favorite Psalm for me.  Beautiful.

Psalms 73

1 No doubt about it! God is good —

good to good people, good to the good-hearted.

2 But I nearly missed it,

missed seeing his goodness.

3 I was looking the other way,

looking up to the people

4 At the top,

envying the wicked who have it made,

5 Who have nothing to worry about,

not a care in the whole wide world.

It is easy to look at other people and feel jealous.  Some seem like they've got it made.  The perfect family, wealth, nice cars.  But there's always something to worry about.  There's health, we all have to take care of our health and sometimes that's not enough.  With wealth comes the fear of losing it.  The stock market crash a few years ago was very humbling for some people.  It would be hard to find good friends who are honest, sincerely caring, and trustworthy.  I don't think anyone can say they don't have any worries in real life.  Even though it may appear so on the outside.  Even idolizing other Christians, thinking they're so perfect can be unfair to them.  We all mess up.  The best thing for all of us to do, is focus on God.  Everything else will let us down somehow.  God has a way of showing me what to be, so I can sincerely love others.  Here's what Asaph realized:

21 When I was beleaguered and bitter,

totally consumed by envy,

22 I was totally ignorant, a dumb ox

in your very presence.

23 I'm still in your presence,
but you've taken my hand.

24 You wisely and tenderly lead me,

and then you bless me.

25 You're all I want in heaven!

You're all I want on earth!

26 When my skin sags and my bones get brittle,

God is rock-firm and faithful.

27 Look! Those who left you are falling apart!

Deserters, they'll never be heard from again.

28 But I'm in the very presence of God —

oh, how refreshing it is!

I've made Lord God my home.

God, I'm telling the world what you do!

THE MESSAGE