Jan 29 Daily Rhythm

Morning
Psalm 73:1-3

Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Envy almost causes the foot to stumble. Envy over good things that belong to others. You ever look at someone who doesn’t even try to pretend that they follow Jesus and think “How come they have it so good??” That’s natural. So has the Psalmist in this verse. He confesses it. So should we.

Afternoon
Psalm 73:4-6

For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek. They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind. Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment.

“They’ve got it made!” We have all thought that way about others. But look closer. Are they arrogant? Maybe violent? Many people are violent behind locked doors. You don’t know. Focusing on the dual sins of envy and idolatry allows us to peer into our own hearts and ask what we really love the most. God or public appearances.

Evening
Psalm 73:7-11

Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies. They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression. They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth. Therefore his people turn back to them, and find no fault in them. And they say, “How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”

This is the life of a healthy public appearance. Wealth and plenty covering us wickedness and deception. Is it deception when you neglect to tell someone of your struggle? When you hide parts of your soul to save yourself shame? God knows, and longs to heal. We must consider his glory worth more than our own.