'If God is So Good, Why Do I Feel So Bad?': Psalm 73 (Goodness)

Read Galatians 5:22-23:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Are you ready to make an investment in the Fruit of Goodness?

What have you prayed for that God did not, or has yet to, answer that has made you question the extent of His goodness?

Write your response in the space provided.

In Psalm 73: 1-14, Asaph, the psalmist, has acquired head knowledge of God's goodness, but he is struggling with understanding His goodness in a world full of wickedness, corruption and pain:

"Truly God is good to Israel,
to those whose hearts are pure.
But as for me, I almost lost my footing.
My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.
For I envied the proud
when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
They seem to live such painless lives;
their bodies are so healthy and strong.
They don’t have troubles like other people;
they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.
They wear pride like a jeweled necklace
and clothe themselves with cruelty.
These fat cats have everything
their hearts could ever wish for!
They scoff and speak only evil;
in their pride they seek to crush others.
They boast against the very heavens,
and their words strut throughout the earth.
And so the people are dismayed and confused,
drinking in all their words.
“What does God know?” they ask.
“Does the Most High even know what’s happening?”
Look at these wicked people—
enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.
Did I keep my heart pure for nothing?
Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?
I get nothing but trouble all day long;
every morning brings me pain."

Select the 'Successful' response once you have completed reading the verses.

In what areas of your life are you struggling with understanding God's goodness? Be specific.

In verses 15-17, Asaph makes the decision to seek the Lord to gain understanding:

"If I had really spoken this way to others,
I would have been a traitor to your people.
So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper.
But what a difficult task it is!
Then I went into your sanctuary, O God,
and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked."

Like Asaph, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you why you are experiencing trials while others, who are not seeking the Lord, appear to be prospering.

Write down any revelations you receive.

In verses 18-20, God reveals to Asaph the eternal fate of those who reject the Lord their God:

"Truly, you put them on a slippery path
and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.
In an instant they are destroyed,
completely swept away by terrors.
When you arise, O Lord,
you will laugh at their silly ideas
as a person laughs at dreams in the morning."

Allow the somber reality of these verses to penetrate. When you are ready to proceed to the next step, select the 'Successful' response.

Like the people he is so upset with, in verses 21-22, Asaph becomes painfully aware of his own wickedness and confesses to God:

"Then I realized that my heart was bitter,
and I was all torn up inside.
I was so foolish and ignorant—
I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you."

Is there anything you would like to confess to the Lord? If 'Yes', you can do so privately or in the space provide.

In verses 23-26, Asaph comes to the heart level knowledge of God's goodness:

"Yet I still belong to you;
you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
leading me to a glorious destiny.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything on earth.
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
he is mine forever".

Would you like to show the Lord your thanks and adoration? If 'Yes', you can do so privately or in the space provide.

Lastly, in verses 27-28, Asaph's faith is restored and he is compelled to tell others about God's goodness:

"I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do".

Asaph's desire to tell other people about the Lord's goodness ultimately becomes Psalm 73. Do you realize the Lord is fulfilling Asaph's desire through you right now? Through His Word, the Lord will fulfill Asaph's desire throughout all of eternity! And He will do the same for you and anyone else who seeks Him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. Now there is an example of God's goodness!

Do you agree that God uses your everyday trials as instruction for His (and your) eternal purposes and glory?

Oswald Chambers said: "When prayer seems to be unanswered, beware of trying to fix the blame on someone else. That is always a snare of Satan. You will find there is a reason which is a deep instruction to you, not to anyone else."

To discover God's deep instruction to you, pray this simple prayer:

"Lord, regarding my unanswered prayers, what deep instruction do you have for me?"

Write down any revelation you receive in the space provided.

To read Psalm 73 in full, go to 'DOCUMENTS'.

How much has this Trail increased the fruit of goodness in your current disposition?