"I Almost Blew It!"

“They say confession is good for the soul. So let me make both a sad and a glad confession. The sad part is that I almost bought a lie. The glad part is how God opened my eyes before I made what would have been the most tragic decision in my life.

“My name is Asaph. I thought I was serious about the Lord. I’m convinced I really loved Him. But I obviously did not spend enough time in His Word or I wouldn’t have been fooled so easily. So follow along in Psalm 73 and I’ll tell you a story that will help you not to blow it like I almost did.

“I lived in Israel and knew how God is good to those who want clean and true hearts. Yet it seemed that those who loved Him most had to suffer so many trials and temptations. In fact, much of the time the road was rough, weary and filled with obstacles. I knew He promised to be with those of us who loved Him, but man, couldn’t God make life a little easier?!

“That’s when I almost slipped and bought the devil’s lie. I found myself enjoying some of my neighbors—the arrogant ones who did some pretty wicked things. They just smiled at my struggle to earn an honest living and to be faithful to the Lord. And they prospered—big time! Even the thought of death didn’t frighten them and they seemed to have few troubles that money could not cure. They walked in pride and satisfied their every appetite. In fact, they had more than I could even wish for.

 “And oh the filth that came out of their mouths. Some even made fun of God and spoke against the very heavens. ‘How does God Know?’, they mocked, and acted like they were smarter than the Almighty, with insults like ‘Is there knowledge in the Most High?’

 “I admit I had my own doubts about God. Why didn’t he close their mouths? You know, just kill them! Yet they went on prospering, living in incredible ease and piling up their riches. That’s when I lost control of my feelings and let dangerous thoughts come into my mind. ‘Surely in vain have I closed my heart’; I thought. ‘What has God really done for me in my honest search for His will and plan for my life on this earth? Sometimes it feels all I get are plagues and chastening.’

“Thank God, I didn’t let those terrible thoughts came out of my mouth or I would have failed those who were determined to love the Lord whatever the cost. But I admit when I tried to figure out why so many evil people seem so happy and fulfilled, it was too painful for me. Until! Let me say it again –UNTIL! I got alone with the true and living God. And there—in that secret place of His sanctuary—I understood the end of the road for the wicked. Talk about slippery places? God suddenly casts them down to destruction, brings them to eternal desolation and utterly consumes them with terrors.          

 “When God’s Spirit opened my eyes, I felt so ashamed. I cried out to my heavenly Father, ‘So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before you.’ But instead of feeling His anger, I only felt his love. And that’s when I told the Lord how I wanted to live the rest of my days: ‘Nevertheless I am continually with you; you do hold my right hand. You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth I desire beside You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.’(Psalms 73:23-26)

 “So there you have it. The man who almost blew it. Learn from my lesson. Stay in God’s Word and prayer—daily. Keep your priorities straight. Life on earth is for the battle. Eternal life in heaven is for the celebration. I’m home with the Lord now. We’ll be waiting for you.”

"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (I Corinthians 11:1)
The ST. PAUL SCHOOL, with Frank Eiklor, Eileen Young and Cecilia Contreras