Well, as we're introducing the Psalms, trying to wrap our brains around this amazing part of the Word of God, there's a third thing that I think is important to observe and to talk about; that the Psalms, in a way, are the Bible's clearest, most extensive portrait of the struggle of faith. I am deeply persuaded that the Psalms are in the Bible to keep us honest about our own struggle of faith in this fallen world. The Psalms picture our doubt, our confusion, our wonderment, our feelings at moments that we're under attack, our wonderment about why it doesn't seem like the good guys are winning, our questions to God, "Is God there? Does he hear? Will he ever do what he's promised?"
A great example of the struggle of faith that's in the Psalms is one of my favorite Psalms; it's Psalm 73. I want to read some of Psalm 73.
Truly God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled,
my steps had nearly slipped.
For I was envious of the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
For they have no pains until death;
their bodies are fat and sleek.
They are not in trouble as others are;
they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.
Therefore pride is their necklace;
violence covers them as a garment.
Their eyes swell out through fatness;
their hearts overflow with follies.
They scoff and speak with malice;
loftily they threaten oppression.
They set their mouths against the heavens,
and their tongue struts through the earth.
Therefore his people turn back to them,
and find no fault in them.
And they say, "How can God know?
Is there knowledge in the Most High?"
Behold, these are the wicked;
always at ease, they increase in riches.
All in vain have I kept my heart clean
and washed my hands in innocence.
What a struggle! So, Asaph, the writer of this Psalm, is saying, "I look around, and all the people, God, that hate you, all the people the break your commands, that mock your existence and your power, seem to have the easy life. And I seem to be being hammered." And then he says something that, you won't use these words, but I've heard people say many times, "All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence." He's saying, "God, I've obeyed you for this? This is what I get for following you? This is what I get for being faithful?"
Well, if you can't relate to that struggle, I don't know where you've been. Often, it does seem like evil is prospering and like the good people are suffering. Here's what Psalm 73 asks us: "What are you going to do when your life doesn't make sense?" You only have two options. You either run from God, or you run to God. Psalm 73 records words spoken to God. Psalm 73 is an act of faith because in all of his struggle, in all of his discouragement, in all of his wonderment of what in the world God is doing, the Psalmist doesn't turn his back on God and walk away. He doesn't hide in fear, shame, or guilt, but he runs to God. When life is the hardest, when it doesn't make sense, don't run from God, run to him!
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion
1. In what ways do the wicked around you seem to be prospering and increasing in riches? Who are those in your culture setting their mouths against heaven, and how do they appear to be getting away with it? Are you tempted to behave like them to get ahead? Are you jealous of the "blessings" that they are receiving for their behavior?
2. How have you suffered for your faith? What decisions have you made, trying to honor the Lord and his commands, that appear to have negative, painful consequences? How have you responded to your suffering? Have you strayed from a lifestyle of submission and obedience in recent weeks, months, or years because of it?
Conversation Prompts to Use with Children
For Younger Children: Have you seen other kids being bad? Did they not get in trouble for being bad? How does that make you feel if someone is bad and doesn't get in trouble? Does that make you want to be bad like them? Is it hard to follow the rules? Does it seem like the rules make your life bad? Why do you think mommy and daddy have rules for you?
For Older Children: Who are the popular kids among your peers? What makes them popular? Do you want to be popular like them, and are you tempted or willing to break the rules to be popular like them? How have you suffered or been made fun of for being a Christian and following what the Bible says? Are you angry at God for creating rules that seem to interfere with you having a fun life? What rules are getting in the way, and what fun do you think you are missing out on? How might those rules actually be for your safety and protection?
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