Message Notes

YAG-YC RETREAT                            SESSION # 5
Psalm 73
Subject: Resolving Struggles in faith and life

PERSONAL STRUGGLES IN LIFE

1. What kind of struggles do we experience?

2. Common struggles (almost trite)

a)    Health

b)    Job

c)    Family

PERSONAL STRUGGLES OF ASAPH

1. Theory versus Real life        Psalm 73:1-2

a)    Theory

i)    God is good to Israel

ii)    To the pure in heart

b)    Real life

i)    Stumbling in life        Psalm 73:2

ii)    The prosperity of the wicked    Psalm 73:2-13

2. Troubling observations about the wicked

a)    They are boastful            Psalm 73:3

b)    They are prosperous            Psalm 73:3

c)    They are strong            Psalm 73:4

d)    They are not in trouble        Psalm 73:5

e)    They are full of pride            Psalm 73:6

f)    They are violent            Psalm 73:6

g)    They have abundance            Psalm 73:7

h)    They scoff and speak wickedly         Psalm 73:8

i)    They even speak against heaven    Psalm 73:9

j)    Their tongue is all over the earth    Psalm 73:9

k)    They disdain God            Psalm 73:11

l)    They increase in wealth        Psalm 73:12

3. Deep misgivings

a)    In vain    Psalm 73:13

i)    I have cleansed my heart

ii)    Washed my hands in innocence

b)    Problems    Psalm 73:14

i)    Plagued

ii)    Chastened

4. Deep internal struggles

a)    Verbalisation
I will speak thus        Psalm 73:15

i)    I would be untrue

ii)    Will effect generations

b)    Comprehension
When I thought how to understand this    Psalm u73:16

i)    Too painful

ii)    No understanding forthcoming

THE SOLUTION

1. In the sanctuary of God        Psalm 73:17

2. Deeper understanding obtained    Psalm 73:17-22

a)    What is the ultimate end of the wicked?

i)    Slippery places    Psalm 73:18

ii)    Destruction        Psalm 73:18

iii)    Desolation        Psalm 73:19

iv)    Terrors        Psalm 73:19

v)    Despised by God    Psalm 73:20

PERSONAL CONFESSION

1. Candid confession

a)    Heart grieved    Psalm 73:21

b)    Mind vexed        Psalm 73:21

c)    Foolish        Psalm 73:22

d)    Ignorant        Psalm 73:22

e)    Like a beast        Psalm 73:22

2. New Sense of appreciation of what we have in the Lord

a)    Continually with the Lord    Psalm 73:23

b)    Held in hand            Psalm 73:23

c)    Guidance/ Counsel        Psalm 73:24

d)    Received into glory        Psalm 73:24

3. Renewal of faith

a)    In God    Psalm 73:25

i)    Whom have I in heaven but You?

ii)    There is none upon earth I desire besides You

b)    In life    Psalm 73:26

i)    My flesh/ heart faith

ii)    God is my strength

iii)    God is my portion

c)    Drawing nearer to God    Psalm 73:28

i)    It is good for me to draw nearer to God

ii)    Putting trust in God

iii)    Declaring God’s works