WHO YOU LOOKING AT?
SCRIPTURE
2: But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.
3: For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
12: This is what the wicked are like – always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.
13: Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence.
16: When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply
17: till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.
21: When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,
22: I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You.
25: Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You.
28: But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all Your deeds.
Psalm 73 (NIV)
People learn to measure, count, and compare early in life, and they often continue doing so throughout their entire lives. Humanity spends much of its existence measuring, counting, and comparing itself to something or someone else. It begins at birth. Parents excitedly measure their newborns so they can proudly announce that the baby weighed 8 lbs., 9 oz., and measured 21 inches long. They track growth by marking charts on walls or reporting percentiles and quartiles in comparison to other children the same age. It does not take long for children to realize they are expected to “move up”, so they anxiously stand waiting and hoping they have grown enough. Their achievements in school are measured by grades and teacher evaluations. Then children mature and step into the living life, and the real measuring begins.
Who has the best job? Who earns the most money? Who owns the largest house? Who drives the nicest car? Who takes the most adventurous vacations? Who dresses best? Even as adults, people often remain trapped in the cycle of seeking approval, anxiously standing in life’s line hoping they are “measuring up” to the standards the world has established. Yet, as Stephen R. Covey wisely stated, “If the ladder is not leaning against the right wall, every step we take just gets us to the wrong place faster”.
Sadly, this mindset too often spills over into the Christian walk as well. Believers compare themselves to the “super saint” and begin imitating their actions. Worse still, they compare themselves to the world and begin emulating worldly standards. They look at the wealth and possessions of others and wonder why God seems to be “blessing” them more. They see shiny new cars and resent their inability to afford the same things. They wear ordinary clothes while envying others dressed in designer labels. They long for more of what they believe life owes them, but in doing so, they mistakenly set their standards against the world, which inevitably leads them down the wrong path.
However, this is not the first time God’s people have wrestled with feelings of envy and bitterness. Jonah, Jeremiah, David, and Asaph all experienced similar struggles. Yet instead of devoting themselves to becoming like those they envied, they cried out to God for understanding. In return, they received the answers they sought. Asaph serves as a powerful example. When he entered into worship, he came to understand that the apparent blessings of his enemies were temporary, shallow, and misdirected. Once he removed his focus from others and turned his attention toward Jehovah-jireh, he was finally able to recognize the foolishness of his thinking.
People need goals and aspirations. They cannot measure progress without them. They also need positive role models who inspire them to rise higher. But there is only one true standard against which believers should measure themselves, and that is Jehovah-tsidkenu. Yahweh knows what His people need, and it delights Him to provide for those needs. He is not swayed by cries of despair rooted in wanting what others possess. God desires for His people to desire Him, seek His face, and live according to His standards. Worship accomplishes many things, but two truths stand out when people find themselves using the wrong standards. First, worship shifts their focus away from themselves and redirects it toward God. Second, worship honors God and invites His presence into their lives.
When people align their priorities correctly, surrender themselves fully to the Lord, focus on their relationship with Him, and worship Him wholeheartedly, they can rest in the assurance that all is well.
PRAYER:
Father, thank You for being our one and only source for everything that we need! You have given us life and hope and joy and peace and power in the Holy Ghost. We know this in our heads; help us to know it in our hearts. Give us grateful hearts for all that You have done and thankful hearts for Your faithfulness so that we will trust You to do what You have promised You will do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
REFLECTION:
“When the Lord makes it clear you’re to follow Him in this new direction, focus fully on Him and refuse to be distracted by comparisons with others.” – Charles R. Swindoll