“Tis the Season to be Jealous

 

 

 

For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.  Their eyes bulge with abundance; They have more than heart could wish. Psalm 73:3, 7 (NKJV)

 

There was a Facebook post begging parents not to teach their children that Santa brought them a gaming system, an iPad, or a TV. She was showing sympathy for those children whose parents cannot afford any of those things. The children, she noted, wonder why they do not deserve the same gifts as their more wealthy friends.

Being no fan of teaching children there is a Santa, we could just stop there and not have to lie to anyone.

However, children are not the only envious ones at this time of year. Our culture has so run away with Christmas that it has become a retailer’s dream come true. People want more than they can afford and spend more than they can pay. Retailers make sales, credit cards make interest, and individuals grow their debt and Christ is forgotten.

In Psalm 73 Asaph is expressing his dismay over the prosperity of those who boast and have an abundance of material goods and wealth. At this time of year, thanks to social media, we see the perfect decorations. Others throw the perfect parties, inviting the right people. Then, in a few weeks we will see a vast display of gifts we couldn’t afford. .

There is plenty for the human mind and heart to envy.

As with Asaph in Psalm 73, though he was complaining about the goods and sin of others, his eyes were on himself. He saw what he did not have compared to what they did. Sadly, this is often us. When we look around at what the world is doing; where others are going, or how they celebrate and spend, we tend to see more of what we do not have than what they do have.

The Psalmist comments on these people in verse 12, “Behold, these are the ungodly, Who are always at ease; They increase in riches. Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, And washed my hands in innocence.” (Psalm 73:12-13, NKJV).

He explains that he has grown weary of trying to understand it in verse 16. Then, a light goes on in verse 17!

“Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end.” (Psalm 73:17)

Only when he began to look to the LORD did he see how temporary their “abundance” would be and how serious their sin was before God. They would perish without faith but God would continually hold Asaph’s right hand!

The reward for looking to the Lord is in verses 23 – 24, “Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.”

We all have this tendency to be like Asaph. We can be jealous of others in the most worldly things when we have a heavenly hope that should be our greatest joy.

He finishes the Psalm like this:

My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry. (Psalm 73:26-27)

We should not be deceived. All those unbelievers do not change their position before God by an appearance of abundance and joy. Let’s end this Christmas season as Asaph does in verse 28, “But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all Your works.”

Christ has come to save us from our sins (Matthew 1:21). Let’s only be jealous for Him and declare His works to the world…All. Year. Long.