- Overcomer Literature Trust
- Swindon
- Wiltshire
9. THE SANCTUARY VIEW OF SUFFERING Ps. 73.
1. David’s testimony.
“Surely God is good . . . to such as are pure in heart” (v1).
2. David’s “But!”
“But as for me, my feet were almost gone, my steps had well nigh slipped” (v2).
3. David’s snare and its cause.
“For I was envious . . . when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (v3).
David looked at the prospertiy of those who knew not God and admitted envious thoughts, as he compared his circumstances with theirs and
‘pitied’ himself.
4. David’s description of the prosperous worldling.
a) They seem to die without many pangs even though they did not serve God (v4).
b) They are not in trouble as other men (i.e., David himself ) neither are they plagued. They are consequently full of pride (v5-6).
c) “They have more than heart can wish” (v7).
d) Yet they “scoff” and speak loftily and practically defy God (v8-9).
e) They afflict and oppress His people (v10).
f) They say that God does not know, as He appears to take no notice. (v11).
5. David’s comparison of himself.
“Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocency” (v13).
“I” have put away sin in vain!
“I” have sought to do right for nought! (v13).
“I” am only plagued all the more!
“I” have nothing else but chastening! (v14).
“I” may not talk as they do, God deals with me severely at once, and all God’s children would be offended (v15).
“I!” - well, it is too painful for me to think of it all! (v16).
6. David’s eyes opened.
“It was too painful . . . until I went into the Sanctuary of God; then understood I their end” (v16-17).
In the Sanctuary David was given to see the things of earth in the light of eternity. All his envious thoughts melted away and he saw with deepest pity the end of the worldling.
a) Prosperity, riches, earthly power, are slippery places (v18).
b) The end without God will be “ruin” (v18).
c) The earthly things can vanish in one moment, then it is “desolation” indeed (v19).
d) The lofty souls are “utterly consumed with terrors” (v19).
e) They have been living as it were in a “dream” and they awake to terrible reality (v20).
7. David’s repentance and self-abhorrence.
“My heart was in a ferment . . . so brutish (stupid, dull of spiritual vision) was I, and ignorant; I was as a beast (“be ye not as the . . . mule, which [has] no understanding” Ps. 32 v9) before Thee” (v21-22).
Foolish and ignorant indeed we are to question the love and wisdom of our God, even when we cannot trace His dealings. Many souls have well nigh slipped, as David did, by failing to see that the Father chasteneth for our profit, and that if we are without His chastening we do not bear the marks of being His sons. (see Heb. 12 v5-13)
8. David's recounting of his riches.
“I am continually with Thee . . . God is . . . my portion for ever” (v23-26).
a) God as his ceaseless companion (v23).
Whilst the worldling is without God and without hope in the world.
b) God holding his hand that he might not slip (v23).
Whilst the worldling is wholly dependent upon himself.
c) God guiding with His wondrous counsel in all the perplexities of life (v24).
Whilst the worldling is in terror when trouble comes.)
d) God finally receiving him into eternal glory (v24).
Whilst the worldling ends in ruin and desolation.
9. David’s renewed decision.
“Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee” (v26).
Compare David’s words at another time in Ps. 16 v1-2. Surely his feet had well nigh slipped from his goodly heritage. But the Lord is merciful and gracious. David renews his fealty to his Lord, “Henceforth none upon earth . . . beside Thee.”
10. David’s acceptance of God’s chastening.
“My flesh and my heart faileth: But God is the strength of my heart” (v26).
The view of eternal realities in the Sanctuary has not displaced the suffering, but gives fresh courage and strength for its endurance. It is always true that the outward must perish while the inward is renewed day by day.
We shall err if we think that life in the Sanctuary, hidden with Christ in God, means freedom from suffering, sorrow and trial. Rather will the soul be strengthened inwardly to be trusted more and more with the “fellowship of His sufferings, becoming conformed unto His death” (Phil. 3 v10).
“The Lord is God, and He hath given us light. Bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar” (Ps. 118 v27).
“If we endure, we shall . . . reign” (2 Tim. 2 v12).