Day 92: Getting Ahead and Being Behind

Today’s Scripture: Psalm 73:1-5

Central Thought: We find our wealth and prosperity only in the Lord

Did you ever wonder if God has a plan of impoverishment for His people? It often seems that the more we struggle to get ahead, the more we seem to get behind! When others around us seem to be always cashing in on their good fortune, the spirit inside us may scream, ‘IT’S NOT FAIR!”

This is how the Psalmist seems to feel with his assessment of non-believers with the statement in verse 5: ‘They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills” (NIV). That may appear to be true if we look only at the outward appearance. Outwardly, others may seem to have everything and be above the troubles of everyday men.

But for all their hard work to have it all, they may have forgotten one important factor: God does not look at the outward appearance; He looks at the heart! Do not envy or be jealous of what others have in this lifetime. The rewards that wait in heaven for the faithful are far greater than any material goods anyone could ever own.

God sees the deepest needs of His people and provides for them. What we sometimes fail to see when we look at others and their material wealth is the poverty they may have in their spirits. Many have forsaken the riches that can be found in commitment to God and have sought for the material goods of the world. Do not desire what they have, but pray that they will find a way out of their spiritual impoverishment to enjoy the true riches that come only from the Lord.

Devotional Prayer: Lord, help me to always put spiritual riches ahead of any thoughts of material riches. Help those who are spiritually impoverished to seek for the true riches that can come only through commitment to You.

Today’s Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 18:1-20:20; Luke 9:28-50; Psalm 73:1-28; Proverbs 12:10