August 04, 2016

Stand

Psalm 73

When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.

—  Psalm 73:16-17

A woman shared how she had walked away from God because of all the evil and suffering in the world. Why would a good God let so much evil and suffering happen?

The psalmist in today’s verses tells us that he too almost slipped in his relationship with God. He had doubts when he saw the prosperity of the wicked. Why do ruthless, selfish, cutthroat people do so well? Why do the unjust prosper?

What is the solution to the doubts that often cause us to struggle? The psalmist says that his doubts troubled him deeply until he “entered the sanctuary of God.” Even if we are in a place of unbelief and filled with doubts, we can find healing in a community of believers who reach out to God in praise and worship. God is bigger than our intellect, so engaging him with our heart and emotion can help us to grow spiritually.

And what the psalmist came to learn in God’s presence was that the wicked, who honor nothing, have nothing in the end. They are swept away while the righteous are strengthened to stand. We can hold on to God, who continually holds us. Further, the psalmist finds he must share the good news. “It is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.” In the strength that only God can give, may we all echo these words.

Father, we wrestle with doubts and unbelief. Help us to overcome our unbelief as we enter your presence to find the Savior who loves us. Amen.

About the author — John Kuperus

Since he was young, John Kuperus has had a passion that everyone would know Jesus. Spreading the good news that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15) is very important to him. To be better equipped for missions, John attended Reformed Bible College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He applied these skills with marketplace evangelism in a business he started in Sussex, New Jersey. This calling continued to follow him, so John attended seminary and became a minister in the Christian Reformed Church, serving a church in Ontario for eight years. Currently he serves as a missionary for Youth with a Mission (YWAM). He witnesses Jesus changing lives as people walk out of the darkness into the light. John is married to Helen, and they have seven children.

Start your day with quick daily devotions.

See God's love, power, presence, and purpose in your life every day!