Perspective That Changes Everything

Sunday Service

Psalm 73

We desperately need perspective in America today. Without thinking rightly and having our focused fixed on what it should, we can very easily (and very quickly) fall into error and despair. In our passage today, we’ll see Asaph’s transparent account of how God reshaped his perspective and how that changed everything about His life.

1. WHAT HAPPENED WHEN ASAPH FOCUSED ON THE WORLD (vv. 1-16)
Asaph became fixated on the things that others had and the life of ease that they appeared to lead. However, the people Asaph observed were Godless. They had no fear of God, and even worse, they mocked Him. When Asaph focused on the world, he began to desire the kind of life that the wicked lead - an easy life, with total self-indulgence and total disregard for God.

2. THE CHANGE IN ASAPH’S PERSPECTIVE (vv. 17-26)
Asaph found that his perspective was shaped properly when He was in the presence of the Lord and when he maintained his focus on God. God reveals Himself through His Word and His Son Jesus Christ is a direct reflection of His character. To know God’s Son is to know Him accurately. God uses His Son and His Word to shape our perspective of Him.

3. ASAPH’S COMMITMENT (vv. 27-28)
For Asaph, being near God, and spending time in His Word, became His priority. Asaph realized that making God his refuge is the rock-solid security that provides real joy. Moreover, God has promised that anyone who is not a believer will perish. There is no stable foundation to be found in the things of the world.

How is your perspective being re-shaped by time with the Lord? In what ways does God want your mindset to be constantly shaped by an awareness of who He is?