But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;  My steps had nearly slipped.    –Psalm 73:2

I woke up this morning with one question on my mind…I’m almost embarrassed to admit it, but I just kept thinking, Will life ever be easy?  Ridiculous question, I know.  Life is not easy.  I know that.  But, sometimes…

I recently went on a trip to Gatlinburg with a group of ladies that, for the most part, were complete strangers.  On the first night we played a game and everyone needed paper and pencils.  So, one lady begins to hand out paper to everyone who raised their hands.  I sat patiently with my hand raised and watched as she handed paper to everyone except me.  Another lady raised her hand again, received a piece of paper and then handed it to me.  Then, another person began handing out pencils.  We all raised our hands.  She hands out pencils to everyone…except me.  My friend beside me raised her hand again, received a pencil and then handed it to me.  At this point, I turned to her and said…Seriously.  Am I invisible?  Can you see me?  The whole situation made absolutely no sense to me at all. 

Sometimes…I must admit that I feel that way with God.  When things do not seem to be going according to plan.  When others are receiving answers to their prayers…receiving direction from God…I can’t help but think…Seriously, God.  Am I invisible?  Can you see me?

I can’t help but think that this is a little of what the author of this psalm was feeling.  He acknowledges, in verse one, that he knows God is good.  God is good…that is not in question.  But, Asaph (the author) says that his feet had almost slipped.  The New Century Version translates it this way…

But I had almost stopped believing; I had almost lost my faith.

 What had happened to Asaph?  He began looking at those around him who seemed to have it just a little easier.  The people around him seemed to have prosperity, health, and everything they desired.  He begins to think (verse 13) that he had believed in vain.  I can imagine him feeling a little…invisible.

When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me…Until I went into the sanctuary of God    (Verse 16-17)

This verse just spoke peace to me.  No matter how much he looked around him, Asaph could not make sense of what he saw.  None of it made sense…until he went into the sanctuary of God…until he found himself in the presence of God with an attitude of worship.  Then, it says, he understood.  There are some things that we will simply not understand until we find ourselves in the presence of God.  And, honestly, I don’t know that it will matter at that point. 

The writer of Hebrews encourages believers to Hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering for He who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23.)  There are going to be tough times.  There are going to be circumstances that cause us to wonder if God has forgotten us.  There are going to be moments that absolutely break our hearts. 

Truths to remember…

1. Though our feet may almost slip…He will not allow your foot to be moved (Psalm 121:3.)
2. Though our circumstances do not make sense to us…His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9.)
3. When you are tempted to give up…Hold fast…He who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23.)