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Day 5

Psalm 73:3b "I saw the prosperity of the wicked."

Day 5 – Psalm 73

“I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” Psalm 73:3b

THE ROOT PROBLEM

What was the root cause of feeling so spiritually out of sorts? Asaph was candid enough to reveal the following personal thoughts.

“For I was envious of the boastful,
When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”
Psalm 73:3

1. “I was envious”

a) Envy is a terrible “green-eyed monster” indeed.
b) Envy can invade the deepest recesses of the heart and mind.
c) It can cause great upheaval even in the realm of the soul.

2. Prosperity

a) Prosperity was a blessing that God promised Israel.
b) Numerous texts may be cited (Deuteronomy 7-8).

3. Observation: Prosperity of the wicked and the boastful

a) The wicked seemed to have enjoyed more prosperity than the righteous.
b) The wicked were often boastful about their prosperity.
c) The wicked would never acknowledge God in their acquisition of prosperity.

NOT AN UNCOMMON STRUGGLE

Asaph was not alone in his struggles. A number of people also struggled with the same issue. Habakkuk was a prophet who had very similar struggles (Read Habakkuk).

BRINGING ALL STRUGGLES TO GOD IN PRAYER

Both Asaph and Habakkuk adopted a similar approach:

1. They brought all their thoughts and feelings to God in prayer.

2. They were unafraid to confess their deep personal struggles.

3. They believed that God would somehow enlighten them as they prayed.