WHERE ASSESSMENTS ARE CORRECTLY MADE

We meet the value of the sanctuary again. Yesterday, the psalmist had a view there of the power, glory and lovingkindness of God which calmed his soul, and now he has the true view of man which corrects his thoughts. Note how the psalm turns around a twice-stated phrase: (i) “But as for me”, v. 2, before he resorts to the sanctuary, and (ii) “But as for me”, v. 28, F. W. Grant, after resorting thereto.

In verse 1, the psalmist expresses a truth which he cannot deny, yet which he failed to believe. He had not found it so; see v. 13. In verses 2-12 he surveys, by the mere sight of his eyes, the prosperity of the wicked, and what seemed apparent to him shook his foothold of faith, v. 2. He saw financial success, v. 3; establishment, v. 4; freedom from trouble, v. 5; abundance, v. 7, despite man’s godlessness, vv. 8, 9, and impiety, vv. 8-11, and he hurries to a rash conclusion, v. 12.

He does confess, however, that the seeming blessing was but a snare to them, v. 6, and he grieves as he sees the Lord’s people following them, v. 10. Yet he is moved to envy, v. 3, and in his envy he muses on his own experience, vv. 14-16. It is the age-old problem, Why do the godly suffer?

There are many reasons. Chagrin fires his soul “until”, v. 17. The calm seeking after the presence of God corrected his warped vision and soothed his soul. The sanctuary is the place of understanding, for there we see as God sees. There we see the true end of the ungodly, that their foothold is not as sure as it appeared to be, and that their seeming success is but for a moment. They have no lasting hope, for destruction, desolation and terrors are ahead. Their life has been at best but a dream, v. 20. What paupers are men without God, vv. 18-20.

The corrected outlook affects his heart, and produces confession, vv. 21, 22. The sanctuary enables us to see ourselves and rightly value our assets. He now appreciated seven things: (1) the unceasing fellowship of God, (2) the divine grip upon him, (3) the Lord’s unerring counsel, (4) the glory at the end of the road, (5) the greatest possible possession man can have in heaven or on earth, (6) the divine inward strength, and (7) an everlasting portion, vv. 23-26. How rich we are!

The soul’s sights are rightly set in the sanctuary.